Chapter 306

First Volume_Chapter 306: Brocade Uniform Guard

The three major combat units of the Tianji Camp had long been meticulously planned by Qin Feng in his mind.

The Tianji Camp Guards specialize in special operations.

The Spy Department drew immense inspiration from two well-known organizations: one was the Ming Dynasty's Eastern Depot, but since it was led by eunuchs, Qin Feng—as a rigidly masculine man—naturally recoiled from castrated men, so he chose the other organization: the Brocade Uniform Guard.

The founding philosophy of the Brocade Uniform Guard was akin to that of the Tianji Camp Guards.

A small elite leads a vast network of subordinate personnel.

The Tianji Camp Guards are supported by two battalions of three thousand New Army troops; although nominally these New Army units will eventually be returned to the Liang Emperor, that won't happen until after the National War—something far off in the distant future.

The Brocade Uniform Guard needs only to recruit a handful of Spy Chiefs, who then manage vast intelligence networks.

The initial size of the Brocade Uniform Guard is set at one hundred people.

These one hundred people will be screened by Li Xiaolan, fifty of whom will be trained in assassination, interrogation, and secret infiltration.

The other fifty will be selected by Qin Feng, specializing in military intelligence gathering.

As the head of the Brocade Uniform Guard, Qin Feng will naturally appoint Li Xiaolan as his second-in-command.

Finally, there are the heavy cavalry skilled in direct combat.

Siege warfare and mountain operations will be handled by the Tianji Camp Guards.

For any other form of open field battle, the heavy cavalry can easily dominate.

But cavalry always require large numbers, making them the largest of the Tianji Camp's three combat forces.

The initial strength is set at one thousand.

Unlike the secret formation of the Brocade Uniform Guard, the Tianji Camp Heavy Cavalry is too conspicuous to hide—it requires formal approval from the Liang Emperor; though difficult, explaining the strategic necessity is not impossible…

The man before him, Zhao Yuxiong, is one of the top candidates for the Tianji Camp Heavy Cavalry!

When Qin Feng explained his concept for the Tianji Camp Heavy Cavalry, Zhao Yuxiong's eyes burned with intense eagerness: "I've only just arrived at the Tianji Camp, Brother Qin, and you're already entrusting me with such a heavy responsibility—aren't you afraid…?"

Before Zhao Yuxiong could finish, Qin Feng cut him off bluntly: "Afraid? Of course I'm afraid. That's why I never intended for you to become commander of the Tianji Camp Heavy Cavalry—you're my first heavy cavalryman. Your promotion will depend on your performance."

Though doused with cold water, Zhao Yuxiong remained utterly eager.

With the plans to form the Brocade Uniform Guard and the Tianji Camp Heavy Cavalry now moving forward, Qin Feng faced his immediate major problem.

Lack of money.

War consumes money—that's an eternal truth.

Since the founding of Beixi County, Qin Feng's Small Treasury has been completely squeezed dry.

The urgent priority now is to rapidly expand revenue streams.

The Wuhu Restaurant and sugar industries remain steady income sources, but their income growth is too slow—they've already fallen into deficit.

Qin Feng told Zhao Yuxiong to wait, then issued several orders.

First, order Beixi County to transport all captured Beidi Warhorses back to Jingdu for the formation of the Tianji Camp Heavy Cavalry.

Second, have Qin Xiaofu spread the word that a public auction will be held at the Xie Residence in three days.

The reason for choosing the Xie Residence is simple: Qin Feng's reputation is too toxic—if people heard he was holding an auction, the Noble Youth of Jingzhong would sneer in contempt…

Third, summon all remaining craftsmen of the Tianji Camp and have them work at full capacity to forge iron molds.

Fourth, in ten days, host the first-ever Shedynasty "Business Symposium" at the Wuhu Restaurant, inviting figures from all sectors.

After issuing the orders, Qin Feng set off with Shu Feng and Wu Wei, hurrying toward the Imperial Palace.

At this moment, the court session at the Imperial Palace had not yet ended.

In the Grand Hall, Civil and Military Ministers were locked in heated debate.

Minister of Personnel Wu Mian argued forcefully: "The position of Grand Commandant is as weighty as Taishan Mountain; the vacancy must be filled promptly. By all reason and propriety, it should be filled by selecting from the Six Ministries, Nine Courts, and Five Directorates."

Upon hearing this, the Deputy Minister of War stepped forward to advise: "Minister Wu speaks wisely. In terms of seniority, ability, and merit, no one is more suitable than our Ministry of War's Minister Qin."

The Minister of Works shook his head: "Minister Qin is already Supervisor of War—he likely lacks the strength to take on more."

Minister of Revenue Li Xu stood silently among the crowd.

After all, Li Xu belonged to the Pro-Peace Faction and was closely aligned with Gao Ming; now that Gao Ming had been "removed," Li Xu naturally dared not become the Chuhuoniao.

Watching the Civil and Military Officials argue fiercely, the Liang Emperor's expression grew slightly displeased.

The Liang Emperor's original intention was to leave the Grand Commandant position vacant for a time—at least until after the National War—then fill the gap.

During this period, he planned to promote neutral officials who could later assume the Grand Commandant role, ensuring the Three Dukes remained independent.

But the Civil and Military Ministers feared the National War's severity and the Grand Commandant's critical importance; leaving the post vacant now would hinder war preparations.

The Liang Emperor's mood was deeply conflicted.

Publicly, the Grand Commandant position should be filled.

Privately, he did not wish to see it fall into the hands of this group.

Just as the Liang Emperor found himself caught between two difficult choices, Li Zhan suddenly reported: "Your Majesty, Qin Feng requests an audience."

This boy arrived at the perfect moment.

The Liang Emperor's eyes lit up: "Summon him."

The heated debate in court was abruptly halted by Qin Feng's sudden appearance; everyone present, except the Liang Emperor, frowned in displeasure.

Even Qin Tianhu furrowed his brow, silently cursing: "This brat—why now? Why not earlier or later, but right now?!"

Under the hostile gazes of the Civil and Military Ministers, Qin Feng strode boldly into the Grand Hall.

Though he clearly sensed the tense atmosphere, Qin Feng paid no mind, as usual, acting with brazen confidence: "Your subject, Qin Feng, has urgent business to report to Your Majesty."

As long as it wasn't about the Grand Commandant position, the Liang Emperor would gladly hear anything.

"Oh? What urgent business? Speak."

Qin Feng cut straight to the point: "I wish to establish a heavy cavalry unit based on the Tianji Camp Guards, with an initial strength of one thousand. I humbly request Your Majesty's approval."

The Liang Emperor had been in good spirits until he heard this—his face immediately fell: "Heavy cavalry? Do you know how many heavy cavalry units my Shedynasty currently has?"

Qin Feng blurted out: "Nearly six thousand. Outside the Capital Garrison, the Folk have fewer than a thousand."

The Liang Emperor's face turned cold; after all, heavy cavalry was a state treasure, entirely under his firm control—and Qin Feng actually wanted to set up a separate force? Unthinkable!

"Our Shedynasty's circumstances are such—we lack horses, and even more so, fine steeds. The entire Shedynasty has only six thousand heavy cavalry, and you dare ask to form a thousand?"

"Has I granted you too many privileges, making you grow even more audacious?"

Qin Feng had long anticipated this situation.

The reason was not hard to guess.

After all, forming a thousand-strong heavy cavalry unit near Jingdu, one not under the Liang Emperor's command, could—taken to its extreme—threaten the imperial authority itself…

Qin Feng quickly put on a face of unwavering loyalty and pleaded, "Your Majesty wrongly accuses your humble servant!"