Dongping Kingdom, Wuyan City
At this moment, inside the main hall of the governor’s residence, although a biting cold wind howled outside, the many generals gathered within felt no chill.
Instead, heat seemed to radiate from their bodies.
“You need not be so nervous.”
Seeing their reactions, Zhang Jing spoke to reassure them.
“The army has only just been reorganized, and military law has only recently been established. Naturally, it cannot be perfected overnight. If we were to enforce the current regulations strictly as they stand…”
“Then of those one hundred and ninety thousand brothers…”
“Wouldn’t we end up punishing a hundred thousand or even eighty thousand of them?”
“Cough, cough… My lord is wise!”
The generals smiled awkwardly.
They knew their own men better than anyone.
Although the soldiers under their command were not vicious criminals, most were difficult to discipline.
Had it not been for their current lord, Whose prestige was now high enough—
The implementation of so many military regulations would have caused an uproar among the ranks.
Some might even have dragged their commanders into the turmoil with them.
But things were different now.
Of the original four hundred thousand troops, more than two hundred thousand had already returned to farming and were awaiting land distribution.
Those men had no interest in joining any trouble.
After all, none of them were fools.
As for the generals themselves— They were even less likely to rebel.
Given their lord’s current prestige, even if one or two of them were executed, few people would dare seek revenge on their behalf.
In fact— Many might even say they deserved it.
“Enough. I’m not some heartless man.” Zhang Jing waved his hand.
“The troops assigned to various regions should be in position within roughly seven days, around the end of the month. Therefore, I will give all of you one month.”
“This month.. Will be used for training your troops and making sure the military laws are clearly understood. At the beginning of the second month next year, I will personally inspect every army.”
“We obey your command!”
The generals respectfully clasped their fists and shouted in unison, all secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
Zhang Jing spoke in a deep voice:
“Xu He, Sima Ju, Zhou Cang, Guan Hai, Sui Gu, Que Xuan, and Liao Hua”
“Present!”
The seven men immediately straightened up and responded with spirited voices.
“After this meeting,” Zhang Jing looked at them solemnly.
“Each of you will command ten thousand troops and five hundred packhorses. Proceed respectively to Liangfu, Fenggao, Linyi, Dong’e, Lucheng, Fan County, and Kangfu.”
“Once you arrive—Immediately repair the city defenses and fortifications, train your troops, and maintain strict vigilance. Do not become complacent.”
“We obey your command!” The seven men answered excitedly.
The other generals could not help but reveal looks of envy.
They all knew that so long as these seven made no major mistakes, their future achievements would surely be remarkable.
“Pei Yuanshao, Bai Rao… After this meeting, each of you shall command five thousand troops, three hundred packhorses, and twenty warhorses. Proceed respectively to Zhu’a, Mou County, Nanping…”
“We obey your command!”
Pei Yuanshao and the other eleven generals stepped forward and answered respectfully.
“I trust you all understand,” Zhang Jing said seriously as he looked at them, “That compared with the seven major strongholds, the defense of your twelve passes is the true front line.”
“The armies of the various warlords may attack at any time.”
“Therefore, after arriving at your posts, you must not only repair your defenses and train your troops, but also remain constantly alert. Dispatch all available scouts. At the slightest sign of unusual activity, you must respond immediately. Have I made myself clear?”
The locations of the twelve passes— Had been designated by Zhang Jing and Cheng Yu as the front line protecting the seven major strongholds.
If a large enemy force were to invade, The twelve passes guarding the strategic routes would inevitably bear the brunt of the attack.
“We will always remember our lord’s teachings!”
Pei Yuanshao and the others felt their hearts tighten.
They silently resolved that once they reached their assigned posts, they would strengthen defenses and train their troops rigorously.
“Bian Xi, Geng Ling!” Zhang Jing nodded slightly and looked toward the two generals.
“The two of you will continue as before, each commanding ten thousand troops. Remain ready at all times to receive assignments from the military adviser. You will also be responsible for supplying provisions to all armies.”
“We obey your command!” Bian Xi and Geng Ling stepped forward and acknowledged the order respectfully.
“Dian Wei!” Zhang Jing called again.
“After this meeting, select five thousand soldiers from the army and establish the Central Army Camp. Also admit Pan Zhang into the camp.”
“This general obeys!” Dian Wei’s eyes lit up when he heard the order, and he cupped his fists respectfully as he shouted his acknowledgment.
He had not expected that after Liao Hua’s transfer, he would effectively receive a promotion himself, even though it came without any increase in salary.
As for Pan Zhang, he knew who he was.
The youngster had come seeking service a few days earlier.
He looked sturdy and spirited, and had been temporarily housed at the lord’s residence by Zhang Jing.
“Yu Du, Yu Jin!” Only at the very end did Zhang Jing turn his gaze toward the two men.
The other generals also looked over, especially Sui Gu and Bai Rao, whose hearts stirred with excitement.
Only now did they realize— Their former chief had not yet received any orders.
“Present!” Yu Du and Yu Jin stepped forward together, suppressing their excitement as they respectfully cupped their fists and answered in unison.
“The soldiers of our Qihuo Army are mostly common folk.” Zhang Jing looked at the two men as he spoke.
“As for military training, most of us understand only the basics. Among us, the two of you have the greatest expertise in this area.”
“Therefore, of the remaining thirty-five thousand troops— I have decided to place thirty thousand of them under your command for training, fifteen thousand each. Can you shoulder this responsibility?”
“We will not fail Your Lordship’s trust!”
“This subordinate is willing to die for Your Lordship!”
Yu Du and Yu Jin shouted their responses excitedly while bowing respectfully.
Training soldiers— Though it lacked the glory of commanding armies in the field held a strategic value no less important than leading troops on campaign.
They understood the situation well.
As officers dedicated to training troops, they would be in a better position to forge elite soldiers.
When the time came, opportunities for battle would naturally follow.
“You may all withdraw.” Zhang Jing nodded and said, “Zhongde and Wang Du will remain.”
“We obey your command!” The generals bowed respectfully and departed.
“My lord.” After the generals had left, Wang Du looked at Zhang Jing with some nervousness.
During the entire meeting, he had not received a single assignment.
“General Wang, do not be anxious. Please, sit.” Zhang Jing waved his hand, then turned toward Cheng Yu.
“Zhongde, you as well.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
The two men bowed and took their seats.
Zhang Jing began:
“Our army is gradually moving onto the right track, and the people are steadily being resettled.”
“Therefore— It is time to put the construction of cities, public works, water conservancy projects, and the repair of official roads throughout the four commanderies on the agenda.”
“My lord is wise.” Wang Du nodded thoughtfully, fully agreeing with Zhang Jing’s assessment.
“General Wang was once a county magistrate’s assistant,” Zhang Jing continued.
“I presume you have considerable experience in such matters. Having you lead troops in the field is frankly a waste of your talents.”
“Therefore, I have decided to establish a new department within the Qihuo Army.”
“It shall be called the Ministry of Works.”
“The Ministry of Works will be responsible for urban construction, public works, irrigation and water management, military-agricultural colonies, mineral surveys, geographical exploration, and related affairs throughout our territory.”
“I wonder whether General Wang would be willing to accept the position of chief administrator of the Ministry of Works?”
“This subordinate is willing to share Your Lordship’s burdens, even unto death!”
Wang Du’s heart surged with emotion upon hearing this.
He immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply.
Compared to serving as a general, he felt that the position of head of the Ministry of Works suited him far better.
— The end of the Chapter–
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