Chapter 193 Complaints
"It's really possible. We don't have much contact with the Jianghu people, but the topography of Qingshi Town is so unique that it's possible that spies from other tribes have infiltrated..."
The other confidants, having gained nothing, echoed Lieutenant General Li's statement.
Liao Yu's fingertips landed on the table, tapping it lightly. It wasn't impossible for an outsider to be involved, after all, he had this connection. If he got the account book, it would be like pinching his weak spot. His ambition was really quite big...
"We can consider following this line of inquiry. Lieutenant General Li's plan is feasible, but we must not slacken our efforts in the search!"
With Liao Yu's instructions, registration offices were set up around Qingshi Town the next day. As expected, Wen Chengyun, who was dressed in a shabby manner, was conscripted into the army as a strong man.
However, as soon as he joined the army, he was sent directly to the kitchen to be a fireman. It was naturally impossible to let ordinary people do such things as searching. The purpose of recruiting able-bodied men was to help and maintain the normal operation of some trivial matters in the military camp.
On the first day at the military camp, Wen Chengyun took the opportunity of delivering meals to stroll around. In addition to the tents of Liao Yu and Lieutenant General Li, he also took note of the tents of other confidants.
After nightfall, the soldiers who had been sent out to search for assassins came back one after another, most of them sitting around the pot waiting for dinner.
The number of firemen was not fixed, and only high-ranking generals were entitled to have others cook for them. Ordinary soldiers were self-sufficient, with a dozen or so people gathered around a single pot. It was only because of the current special circumstances that they were able to enjoy this treatment.
The original batch was used to cook for the deputy generals and generals, while the ordinary soldiers became guinea pigs.
"Hey, new guy, what are you having for dinner? I'm exhausted after searching all day. Can you cook? If not, I can do it myself..."
"Brothers, you've worked hard. I'll give you an extra meal tonight. It's a good opportunity for you to try my cooking."
Wen Chengyun called out slowly and naturally. To fit his fake identity, he even adopted a hint of the southern accent of Qingshi Town, completely lacking the air of a noble young man he had previously portrayed.
He had already cooked the vegetable porridge and was baking sesame cakes. They were simple to make and delicious. As long as the kitchen in the barracks had flour and water, and some dry firewood, he could easily show off his skill to the soldiers.
This was mainly inspired by Cheng Weiyao's roujiamo, mainly because the soldiers' food was so bitter.
Although vegetable porridge is made by mixing grains, vegetables and meat, it actually contains more soup than vegetables. If this continues for a long time, the combat effectiveness of the army will inevitably be greatly reduced!
Some baked sesame cakes were placed aside, and the starving soldiers had already begun to help themselves to them. After being accustomed to eating vegetable porridge, suddenly having a bite of something else was truly satisfying.
"Oh, that's great! I found a fish that slipped through the net. Look at how professional it is. Did your family sell food before?"
"Brother, you have good eyesight! It's true that I used to set up a small stall. My name is Tian Daren. What's your name, brother?"
Wen Chengyun used the pseudonym Tian Daren. His generous and honest personality coupled with his unexpected craftsmanship allowed him to naturally integrate into this group.
The soldiers sat cross-legged in a circle, drinking porridge and eating bread while discussing the military pay and food that were about to be distributed from the court.
"Brothers, you've all heard that this time, all the men arrested for the expanded recruitment are just able-bodied men. When will the court give them some real money? They're arresting people every day and sending them to the army, but they're not giving them food!"
"Come on, forget it! We're lucky there's no war. We're lucky to have something to eat. And you're still expecting good food? And military pay? What kind of dream are you dreaming of?"
As soon as this topic was brought up, Wen Chengyun pricked up his ears instantly. He came to the military camp just for this.
According to the records of the Ministry of Revenue of the imperial court, the military rations and salaries allocated to the border soldiers were distributed normally every year. However, the secret agents who visited said that the local people were complaining and unwilling to join the army.
The imperial court had sent censors from far away to inspect the situation before, but the military accounts showed that military pay and rations were distributed on a per-capita basis, and on the surface, it looked flawless, making it impossible to investigate.
"When I was registering, the person told me that we would be paid soon. That's why I signed my name without hesitation. Could it be that I was fooled?"
Wen Chengyun sat beside the cauldron, munching on a sesame seed bun, and took every opportunity to join in the conversation. He had just joined the army, and was a rookie in front of the veterans.
Hearing this, the other veterans grinned and looked at Wen Chengyun with some pity in their eyes: "You believe this nonsense? It turns out that young people are easy to fool, just like me back then. Once you enter the barracks, don't even think about leaving. If you're lucky, there won't be a war and you'll just die. If you're unlucky, hehe..."
Wen Chengyun's eyebrows frowned instantly, and his face looked full of bitterness and hatred.
Although he knew that Liao Yu and his group were embezzling the imperial court's annual military pay and rations, otherwise there wouldn't be any such account books as Lieutenant General Li, Wen Chengyun was furious that so many soldiers in the barracks had been coaxed into joining the army.
"Okay, why are you trying to scare him? A fireman won't fight in the battlefield, so there's no problem with his life. It's just a pity that the young man has become a bachelor..."
"Everyone, don't be so depressed. What if this year is an exception? We have to give ourselves hope. Although military rations and salaries may not be provided, our brother Xiaotian is here. At least the food is better than before, isn't it..."
Although the soldiers had complaints, they had already entered the tiger's school, and who dared to say "no" under the tiger's nose? They were all brothers, and they all comforted "Tian Daren" with a few words.
Wen Chengyun smiled innocently, his lowered eyes revealing a touch of emotion. The soldiers on the border were still optimistic. Even after being oppressed to this point, they hadn't considered rebelling against the country. It was a pity they hadn't met a good leader...
In addition to cooking, the fireman's job also involves cleaning up afterward. The task of washing pots and pans fell on Wen Chengyun. Especially the previous firemen, when they saw a newcomer coming, they all became hands-off managers.
After a few days without having to pretend, Wen Chengyun's hands became rougher. Instead of complaining, he enjoyed it.
Because while collecting bowls everywhere, he could find out a lot of information about Liao Yu and others without arousing other people's suspicion.
Under the moonlight, he was washing dishes and sorting out the clues he had collected over the past few days when a gray dove fluttered over from afar.
Wen Chengyun's eyes narrowed slightly. Is it necessary to fight back?
Most of the soldiers are resting, and with no one around, now is a good time to take action...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
