Chapter 78: Mules Driving the Shafts and Horses Harnessing the Horses
Chapter 78: Mules Driving the Shafts and Horses Harnessing the Horses
"The master has just been commended by the court and has been named an inspector."
Well, my godfather Qiao Songnian got promoted, and now I’m the son of a third-rank official.
It is very frustrating for others that nominal officials have ranks but no actual vacancies.
But for Qiao Songnian, being promoted from the third rank to the full third rank was definitely cause for celebration.
He is not happy about being anonymous.
How could a Censor be as lucrative as a Salt Transport Commissioner? He held the rank of a third-rank official and was still doing the work of a Salt Transport Commissioner. This was a promotion in administrative rank, but he still kept his original lucrative position.
The court has made such considerate arrangements, and only those who are "favored by the emperor" can receive such treatment.
"Then I have to prepare gifts immediately and go to celebrate for my adoptive father."
"The master has specifically instructed that you should just let the young master know, and your family should not bother with such empty matters."
Shao Quanzhong's expression suddenly tensed up, and he rolled his eyes, "Aunt Qiao, why did my adoptive father get promoted?"
"I heard from my wife Qiao Si that the master invited the eunuch Lu who came to deliver the imperial edict to a banquet, and after Eunuch Lu took the gift, he revealed it.
Zeng Bohan, the governor-general of Liangjiang, impeached Xue Huan, the governor of Jiangsu, while inspecting the political achievements of his subordinate Jiangsu.
He said that "the army stationed in Shanghai costs more than 200,000 yuan a month and cannot deal with the bandits along the way. The only places left in Jiangsu are Zhenjiang and Yangzhou, which are still strategically located."
The court did not punish Xue Huan for the time being, but instead promoted him because of this impeachment memorial.
After hearing this, the master asked Qiao Si to tell me not to go. As for why, a servant like me doesn’t know. "
Aunt Qiao didn't know, but Shao Quanzhong understood it immediately. He breathed a sigh of relief and his face turned from cloudy to bright.
"Thank you Aunt Qiao for the message. You can go on with your work."
Aunt Qiao and her husband Qiao Si were Qiao Songnian's natural slaves and the most trusted. They called themselves servants, so Shao Quanzhong did not dare to neglect them.
Aunt Qiao left. Rong Hui, who was standing next to her, was very curious. "Brother Shao, it's just news that your godfather was promoted. Why are you so nervous and happy at the same time? Is it that important?"
"Hui Er, you don't understand, it's very important.
My adoptive father didn't allow me to go to the celebration. If he had any opinion about me, it would involve the question of whether my backers are reliable, and that would be a big deal.
After Aunt Qiao explained the reason, I knew it was okay, so of course I was happy. "
"Why didn't I hear that you were okay?"
Shao Quanzhong was in a very good mood, "If you can hear that, there is no point in me staying in the officialdom.
Let's go, let's go, these few days of vacation have exhausted me, let's go and take a rest."
Rong Hui's curiosity could not be contained. She grabbed Shao Quanzhong's arm and shook it, "Tell me the reason."
Shao Quanzhong's face suddenly turned cold, "Officialdom is a man's business, women should not interfere.
I'll set a house rule for you: you are not allowed to interfere in government affairs, otherwise I will beat you up."
Rong Hui puffed out her chest and said, "Go ahead and beat me up if you dare. Are you still going to ignore me and sleep with the bride you married?"
"Don't be funny, I'm talking serious stuff.
There is an old saying in Northeast China: mules pull the shafts and horses pull the yokes, old women are fooling around when they are in charge, and hens crowing at dawn is a taboo.
Shao Quanzhong looked up at the sky and said, "What a pity, in our Qing Dynasty, women are going to be in charge.
If there is a wise ruler in power, I would be satisfied if I could become a general and fight against the Japanese pirates.
It's a pity that the Aisin-Gioro family is not ambitious enough and let the old women take charge. If I don't have this ambition, others will have it. It's better for me to do it.
Alas, what can I do? What can I do? "
Rong Hui was confused by what he said, "Brother Shao, can you also tell fortunes for the imperial court?"
"If you don't have this ability, how dare I promise you the kingdom as a betrothal gift?"
"I know Brother Shao is a visionary hero. Okay, okay, I won't get involved in your affairs.
Tell me why you were nervous and relaxed just now, and I'll listen. Can't you just keep quiet?"
"Hehehe, women just love to listen to gossip, even my Huier is no exception, well, I'll tell you.
Xue Huan intercepted the Taiping Army in Shanghai, spending more than 200,000 taels of silver from the imperial court in a month, but accomplished nothing. The situation in Shanghai remained precarious and had to rely on foreigners to support it.
The current situation in Yangzhou is very good. It is obviously not due to the "good leadership" of Xue Huan, the Jiangsu Governor, but the result of Lord Qiao's suppression of bandits in order to ensure the smooth transportation of salt.
The court promoted Lord Qiao based on his merits. On the one hand, it was a reward for merit, and on the other hand, it was also a warning to Xue Huan.
What it means is: The court knows very well that Yangzhou’s achievements are due to Qiao Songnian’s contribution, so it will not reward you as a leader.
The imperial court is already very dissatisfied with your inaction in Shanghai. If you, Xue Huan, continue to lie down and take money without producing any results, we will deal with you.
Qiao Songnian's contribution came from Zeng Guofan's praise for the stability of the situation in Yangzhou, and the court promoted him based on his merits.
It was me who killed Hou Boqiu of Yangzhou Prefecture on behalf of Lord Qiao. I have been promoted for killing Hou Batian.
Godfather doesn’t want to see me at this time because he can’t give me a promotion and he hasn’t saved enough money to give to the Huai Army…”
The good news reported by Aunt Qiao, translated into modern language, means "After several months of hard work by excellent employee Shao Quanzhong, boss Qiao Songnian finally got a new BMW." However, Qiao Songnian, the good boss, has already given Shao Quanzhong a quarterly bonus, and the year-end bonus is not due yet. Shao, just keep working overtime and don't hang around the boss' office. The boss has no money now...
Rong Hui blinked, "So, your godfather wants to save face. If you go to congratulate him on his promotion and he doesn't have a red envelope to give you, then he'll be embarrassed and won't meet you, right?"
"You're smart for once."
"I've always been smart, right? It's just that you officials have to think about such complicated things all day long. How tiring it is."
“Those who are difficult will not be able to do it, and those who are able to do it will not be difficult.
Those who know the business will understand it immediately, but those who don’t should not force themselves to get involved in officialdom and should just do practical work.”
The next day, the holiday ended and the three members of the Shao family went to Shaojiawei early in the morning, some to school and some to work.
Since Shao Quanzhong became a married man with two wives, although he had a long vacation like in modern times, he felt more tired after three days of vacation.
But as the boss of Shaojiawei, he had no right to be lazy and immediately promoted formal military training activities.
In the past, we had not yet established a foothold, so we needed to suppress bandits and train our troops quickly.
Now that the situation has improved, it is time to rebuild the foundation and provide comprehensive training.
Everyone thought it was the same training as before, just more intensified. However, when Shao Quanzhong made a move, everyone was stunned.
He picked out two platoons, formed a seed training class for cavalry and engineering corps, trained them personally, and called all commanders above the company level to watch and learn.
"Brothers, I only know the basics of cavalry and engineering tactics. You should learn them first. I will find more professional people to be my instructors in the future.
As for why you officers have to learn it - you will be senior commanders in the future, so you must understand it all.
Song Laosan and Bo Zai, you two can't even smile. You have learned everything. How can you be qualified to be a high official?
Good fellow, you dare not learn when I give you the chance to become a general? I will go to Luzhuang to find your father and beat you half to death."
The Huai Army had received six horses from Yang Yong, seized four in Qiweizi, eight in Baijiaweizi, and twenty in Guiliucheng, which was more than enough to form a cavalry platoon.
Shao Quanzhong had been a horse bandit for many years in his previous life, and his cavalry skills were already top-notch, so he had no problem training these rookies.
But the latest carbine cavalry cannot rely solely on personal ability. There are coordinated tactics. Don't be in a hurry. Find them slowly and practice the basics first.
The engineers were taught a lot, including bridges, fortifications, mines, ordnance maintenance, and surveying. Shao Quanzhong knew a little about all of them, but he was not a professional.
Teach what you know first, which will be enough for the novices to learn for a while.
Shao Quanzhong started working overtime like crazy. He led the team in training all day, and gave theoretical lectures to the scouts and officers in the newly built shed at night. He was busy from morning till night.
After getting off work at 8pm, he had to take turns going to Shao's house and Wen's house to accompany the two newlywed wives. The schedule was arranged by the minute.
Three days later, Shao Quanzhong pulled Haiqing over and said, "What I have taught you is enough for the little guys to train.
As the deputy camp commander, please help me watch them continue their training. I have to go to Shanghai again tomorrow."
"Brother, we have offended the foreign rifle team. It is too dangerous for you to go to Shanghai. Just send someone else to pay back the money to the Po Shun Company."
"No, I'm not just sending money, we also need to build up artillery, buy artillery and find foreign instructors, no one else can do it for us.
It's okay, I'll bring a company with me this time. The foreign rifle team has just been reorganized and has not yet been trained. They can't do anything to our company in the field.
I am going to the concession to do some work. Although the foreign rifle team is composed of foreigners, they are mercenaries of the Qing Dynasty. They dare not cause trouble in the concession, so you can rest assured. "
The next day, Shao Quanzhong dispatched five green-browed salt-carrying ships and asked Song Laosan to lead a company of veteran guards to Shanghai.
…………
Shanghai, Siming Public Office, Gordon, the acting commander-in-chief of the Foreign Rifle Corps, is reporting to Yang Fang.
"We have now recruited one hundred veterans who served in the Anglo-French Allied Forces. We have already organized them and are stepping up their training.
When Boss Wall returns, his subordinates suggest recruiting 5,000 ordinary Chinese soldiers and having them trained by these 100 officers.
I am confident that within half a year, we can train a strong army that can confront the Guangdong bandits head-on and win, and within a year, we can become a truly world-class strong army.
When the time comes, we must find a reason to fight the Huai Army again and avenge ourselves."
Yang Fang patted Gordon on the shoulder and said, "You are a true soldier. You want to kill your old enemy head-on on the battlefield. I admire you.
However, there is no need to be so particular when dealing with the butcher Shao Quanzhong.
He must come to Shanghai to buy arms, right? This is my territory.
If he doesn't come to Shanghai, it's fine. But if he comes and is alone, I have plenty of ways to deal with him. You just focus on training the troops, and leave this matter to me, the Lord."
Yang Fang took out a Havana cigar, trimmed it carefully, lit it, and puffed out a puff of smoke.
"You killed Bo Daan and slapped the foreign rifle team in the face, but I don't care at all.
But you robbed the foreign rifle team of their money and captured prisoners to blackmail me. That was tens of thousands of silver coins, and I was heartbroken.
I, Yang Fang, stamp my feet in Shanghai and my surroundings are shaking. Did you just cheat me out of my money? Why don't you ask me how I got the nickname of 'Yan Luogui'?"
Gordon's heart tightened when he saw the murderous light in Yang Fang's eyes piercing through the smoke.
(End of this chapter)