The morning meeting ended and everyone was still in shock.
When most people had left, Qi Shan looked at Chen Tang disapprovingly and said, "My Lord, this move is too risky."
What's too risky
Chen Tang planned to let Qiu Cheng's former subordinates who had just surrendered stay behind.
Not only Sibao County, but also part of Longwu County.
As for Minfeng County, we don't have enough energy, manpower and time, so we can't take care of it for the time being. We just sent people to take over, and the specific governance measures have not yet been released. We estimate that we have to wait until the Dragon Slaying Bureau is over before we can seriously plan the construction.
Chen Tang said: "I know what Yuan Liang is worried about. Are you worried that Qiu Cheng's old subordinates will take the opportunity to form a group and take over the position?"
Qi Shan nodded without disguising: "Yes!"
It's not that you can't reuse surrendered generals and soldiers, but you need to observe them for a long time to ensure that they are loyal and reliable and have no ulterior motives. Otherwise, if they are not doing well in the front and there is a big fire in the back, they will be defeated.
"Prime Minister Qiu's body is still warm, and it is indeed risky to reuse them at this juncture, but—" Chen Tang had considered Qi Shan's concerns, but she also had her own plans.
"First, they only have the power of governance and supervision, not military power; second, I have revealed the national seal at the morning meeting. The reason why people choose to betray is mostly because the benefits of choosing loyalty are not enough. If they betray, they will have two choices: one is to establish themselves, and the other is to surrender to other forces."
"Self-reliance? They can't stand on their own feet."
"Join other forces? Who can they choose? Or, is there any force nearby that is more suitable than me?"
Considering all the above, Chen Tang came up with this trick.
Qi Shan saw that she had carefully considered the decision, not just made it on impulse, so he stopped trying to stop her. After all, Chen Tang was the master, the one who helmed them. Liao Jia and the others left early, found a place, and quietly waited for news from Qi Shan.
Wait for Qishan to relay Chen Tang's words.
Everyone was completely relieved.
They were relieved, but all of Qiu Cheng's old subordinates were worried and had different thoughts. They didn't have any bad intentions at the moment, and they were adapting well to their new lord, Chen Tang, but they couldn't help but think too much about it from the old people around Chen Tang.
If the old ones think too much, they, the newcomers, will be easily excluded or even secretly framed. How frustrating would that be
They were unsure of what Chen Tang meant.
Are you really going to reuse them
Or is it a test
Someone suggested: "How about asking Luan Gongyi?"
Everyone has seen how Chen Tang favors and values Luan Xin, so he might know something. But as soon as he proposed it, he was opposed: "Go find Luan Gongyi now? Have you forgotten how you embarrassed him at Wen Yangong's funeral hall?"
Some of them were present that day.
"Those are two different things and cannot be lumped together."
Luan Xin's performance in the battle of Xiaocheng was indeed disappointing. What was wrong with them asking a few questions in front of Wen Yangong's mourning hall? If Luan Gongyi really had his own difficulties, and he didn't say it himself, did he expect outsiders to turn into roundworms and drill into his stomach to figure it out
“People may not think so.”
Finally, someone stood up and said, "Forget it, I'll go."
He was not present that day, but he usually had a good relationship with Luan Xin.
Luan Xin didn't seem surprised by his arrival, and said bluntly: "Don't think too much, it's not a test, just do your job well."
The visitor was surprised: "My lord, are you really relieved?"
Luan Xin believed: "Don't employ people you doubt, and don't doubt people you employ."
Furthermore, they didn't know Gu Chi's ways as a scholar, and they wouldn't be prepared in advance, so naturally, everything they thought was under his nose. If there was really a problem, it would have been eliminated at Gu Chi's level. Luan Xin's reply undoubtedly gave Qiu Cheng's old subordinates a reassurance, and their favorable impression of Chen Tang also soared - this lord is courageous!
Noon, government office.
Chen Tang is still considering the specific list of players to go into battle.
Although she decided to let Qiu Cheng's old subordinates look after the house, she still couldn't do without trusted confidants at home. She raised her hand, and the national seal turned into a golden dragon-patterned scroll with a white background in her palm, and opened the rope with the two ends of the seal emblazoned with the words "wen" and "wu".
She scanned the names on the roster at a glance.
"Oh, it's really hard to decide."
As for the candidate, Chu Yao is actually the most suitable one.
Whether it is governance or stabilizing the overall situation, he is like a stabilizing force. Shen Tang is very relieved to leave the rear to him. However, it is not good to let Wuhui look after the house all the time. She was hesitating when she heard that Yang Gong wanted to see her.
"Let him in."
When Yang Gong came in, Chen Tang had just put away the roster.
The list turned into the national seal again and sank into her palm.
"Greetings, my lord."
"No need to be so polite."
Yang Gong knew that Chen Tang did not like beating around the bush, and he himself was a straightforward person. After greeting Chen Tang, he opened his mouth and stated his purpose. It was not a big deal, he wanted his daughter Yang Ying to seek a position as a sergeant or squad leader in the army.
Shen Tang paused as he picked up the pen.
He looked at Yang Gong with a serious look, "It's not difficult. Your daughter is a daughter of a general, if she joins the army, she will follow in her father's footsteps. Gong Xichou is also half of her teacher, so the students she taught are naturally impeccable. But, Yang Gong, do you know what this means? The swords on the battlefield are blind, and she is just an ordinary soldier. If something happens to her, she won't be able to come back."
Yang Gong nodded: "I know."
Chen Tang added: "She is still your only blood relative."
She thought Yang Gong would enjoy a few days of father-daughter affection.
“I know, but this is Ying’er’s decision.” Yang Gong’s smile looked a little bitter, but also a little proud. “Just as she couldn’t stop me from wearing armor and going to the battlefield when I was young, I can’t stop her from staying away from the battlefield now that I’m old.”
“Maybe this is fate.”
He recalled how his daughter Yang Ying had clung to his skirt when she was young, her tender voice full of attachment and worry. Even though Mr. Yang was reluctant at that time, he still hardened his heart and pushed his daughter into his old wife's arms. Now he also tasted the worry they had at that time. Even though he was reluctant, facing Yang Ying's resolute eyes, he finally chose to meet Chen Tang.
"Mr. Yang is still far from being 'old'."
Yang Ying wanted to join the army, so Shen Tang naturally wouldn't refuse.
Only one thing -
"Your daughter's strength is not weak, but as a sergeant, isn't she a bit of a waste of talent?" This is not just a question of how many people you have under you, but also about your living conditions. Whether you are a sergeant or a sergeant, you can only sleep in the big bunk in the tent.
About a dozen or twenty people were crowded together.
As spring ploughing is over, the temperature is gradually warming up. This battle will most likely drag on for a long time. In midsummer, the temperature is high, the tents are poorly ventilated, and all kinds of smells are mixed together, not to mention how sour it is.
As a father, Yang Gong, doesn’t he think about his daughter at all
Yang Gong replied: "No."
In fact, he also has his own considerations.
He didn't ask for a higher position for Yang Ying, because he naturally wanted her to start from the bottom and work her way up step by step.
The more solid your steps, the more steady you will walk.
Since the father of the person said so, Chen Tang did not try to persuade him any further.
Put Yang Ying into the combat unit.
Yang Gong brought the good news to his daughter. Yang Ying was at home wiping her saber. Although Wudan warriors can transform into various weapons, many still have the habit of wearing sabers. This saber is like the sword of a scholar. Its form is more important than its practical application. Generally, parents, teachers and other elders help to prepare it. It takes a long time from collecting the best forging materials to polishing it into shape.
The sword is the king of all weapons, and the knife is the commander of all weapons.
The saber in Yang Ying's hand was not made for her, but for her brother Yang Xiong. After all, no one could have imagined that a woman could practice martial arts one day. It was made half a year before Xiaocheng was captured, and Yang Xiong practiced and sharpened it for bloodshed.
As fate would have it, the knife was buried under the ruins for several years until Yang Ying revisited the place and dug it out, and she saw blood on the blade. Now, the knife belongs to her. Seeing the knife with the words "Yang Xiong" engraved on it, Yang Gong's eyes were filled with sadness.
“Father, what did Mr. Shen say?”
Yang Ying noticed Yang Gong's steps immediately.
"My lord has agreed, but the battlefield is tough and my son will have to endure hardships." He had a lot to say, but when it came to his lips, he didn't know where to start. Countless worries were mixed into one sentence, "Remember to take care of yourself. Your father will be waiting for you at home."
Yang Ying's eyebrows flew: "Yeah."
She will carry her father's expectations and use her younger brother's sword to revive the Yang family. She will personally take back the glory that her father lost. No, she will take it back twice or even three times! Her ambition in this life is to reach a height in martial arts that her father has never reached!
The next day, at the government office.
Another morning meeting was held today.
Chen Tang asked the clerk to pass out a pile of lists with arrangements for everyone on them: "If you have any opinions, please raise them. Let's solve it together while everyone is here."
When Liao Jia opened it, he found himself at the front row.
Qishan’s name was next to his own.
The two of them were left behind to look after the house.
All other trusted aides went out into the battle.
He opened his mouth slightly, and was stunned for a long time.
Chen Tangyang pretended to cough and asked, "What are your opinions?"
Qi Shan closed the list and said, "No."
Liao Jia: “…”
He didn't really want to stay at home.
It's not that he loves war, it's just that he equates housekeeping with endless government affairs. Let me ask you, which serious scholar loves writing? He would rather drink a few northwest winds on the battlefield than touch a few drops of ink in the inkstone.
However, facing the look in my master's eyes that seemed to want to kill someone...
Liao Jia said calmly, "No."
After hearing the answer he wanted to hear, Chen Tang felt relieved.
She roughly talked about the major projects that the two of them needed to promote in the rear, including but not limited to the basic reconstruction of Sibao County and assisting Lin Fengchenzhi in promoting cotton planting. Farming is the foundation of their lives, and the two of them must pay more attention to this area, ensure this year's harvest at all costs, and don't be stingy with the country's fortune.
At the same time, Longwu County's various businesses must be maintained, especially salt making and textiles. While operating, they must continue to absorb refugees, recruit soldiers, and train new soldiers... Chen Tang kept muttering a lot without stopping, secretly took a breath, and looked towards Qiu Cheng's old subordinates, and said solemnly: "When I am away, please assist Yuan Liang and Shao Mei wholeheartedly."
Everyone bowed and said, "Yes."
Chen Tang did not use fancy sentences like parallel four and six to say anything sentimental, but simply explained what they should do, which sounded more sincere to everyone. After explaining the government affairs, it was the turn of the brave warriors. Unexpectedly, Chen Tang shocked everyone as soon as she opened her mouth - no, to be more precise, she shocked all of Qiu Cheng's former subordinates. She said: "The female camp does not need to go to the Dragon Slaying Bureau this time. It will cause trouble if it is too big of a target."
If Yang Gong hadn't come to her house, she wouldn't have remembered it.
If he could win the battle against Zheng Qiao, Shen Tang would have enough bargaining chips in his hand, but before that, he still needed to be cautious.
The female camp card cannot be revealed for the time being. However, it is not a problem to take Bai Su and a few good seedlings to brush up experience.
"Also, Yuanliang, please remember to allocate another 30% of the military pay to the female camp to expand its scale." After Chen Tang finished speaking, he was about to turn the page, but one of Qiu Cheng's old subordinates had questions.
"There is one thing I don't understand. My Lord said... the female camp?"
Chen Tang looked at him: "Yes."
Everyone in the morning meeting looked at him, including Bai Su. She frowned and said, "The women's battalion was also brave and fearless in the siege. How about increasing the salary by 30%?"
It's so hard to get the salary, who dares to ruin it
She will definitely fight with the other party!
The man was frightened by Bai Su's murderous aura, and his face froze. Although he was hesitant, he spoke sincerely: "In the past, our family was poor, so employing women was a temporary solution. My lord now owns three counties and has no shortage of money and food. If you recruit vigorously, you will have no shortage of young men. Why force women to fight on the battlefield? If this gets out, my lord will be criticized."
Chen Tang: “…”
Bai Su: “…”
Everyone: “…”
Luan Xin lowered his head, reducing his presence.
It was said that this person was deliberately sarcastic, but he looked sincere, and obviously believed that forcing women to die on the battlefield was immoral. This made Bai Su unable to get angry, and she pressed her hand on the hilt several times, tightening and loosening it, loosening and tightening it again.
Bai Su took a deep breath.
Resist the urge to chop people on the spot.
"Who else thinks so?"
"We all think so! If we can't protect women and children, how can we justify all the years of learning?" The man said it seriously, and he was just short of having "A man should protect women" engraved on his face.
Bai Su had a stronger urge to draw her sword.
"My soldiers don't need any so-called protection!"
Seeing that she was about to kill someone, Chen Tang tapped the table with his fingers, signaling the two to pay attention to the occasion. Bai Su apologized and sat down, but the man still stood stubbornly, hoping that Chen Tang would take back his inhumane decision - sending a weak woman who was powerless to die on the battlefield was an act that would be despised by others!
"Your suggestion is very good, but don't mention it again next time."
"My lord?" He looked shocked.
"You have been calling me your lord for several months, but you didn't realize that your lord is a woman?" Chen Tang rubbed his temple and pointed at Bai Su, "General Bai is also a woman. You tried to intercept her salary in front of her..."
Those with worse tempers would start fighting early.
Qiu Cheng’s former subordinates: “…???”
Seeing their reactions, Chen Tang also got angry. Just because she didn't have the proud chest muscles like Gong Xichou, she couldn't be denied as a woman. Wasn't her face beautiful enough
One month later, spring ploughing was successfully completed.
Chen Tang reorganized the troops.
He led 30,000 troops to meet up with the enemy at Xingyang Road.