Chapter 268 Shaking the Army's Morale
Lu Xing grinned at Shen Zhao, "General Chu, please don't look down on your subordinates."
How could Chen Zhao dislike Lu Xing? He is a powerful general of the Jingzhong Camp and also the emperor's man.
"It is an honor for me that Vice General Lu has submitted to me.
I promise that I will never let Vice General Lu down."
Lu Xing smiled innocently, "General, I am very satisfied with your words. I will not join in the fun here. I still have to wait for Deputy General Cao to wake up."
He then ordered his officers and men, "Listen up, everyone. From now on, General Chu is the boss and I am the second in command. You must obey General Chu's orders.
If I find out who dares to trip up General Chu and disobey him, I will break his neck."
All the soldiers under Lu Xing followed him as the deputy general.
They all said in unison, "We will never let General Chu down."
The soldiers guarding the gate hurried over to report.
"General, the Minister of Revenue has arrived to deliver supplies."
Everyone was delighted when they heard this.
They were still struggling just now, but now they don’t have to worry anymore.
The court distributed supplies, so they could get something without offending anyone.
Xie Yuheng muttered quietly, "This Minister of Revenue has come at a really bad time. Why did he come at this time instead of earlier or later?"
The Minister of Revenue, who was being criticized by Xie Yuheng, walked towards Shen Zhao with a shy smile on his face.
"Is General Chu feeling better?"
"I'm feeling better now. Thank you for your concern."
It's never a good idea to slap a smiling person in the face. Although this guy came at the wrong time, he also came to deliver supplies to the Jingzhong Camp.
The Minister of Revenue did not know what had happened in the Jingzhong Camp. Seeing that General Chu was still quite friendly to him, he apologized:
"I, this old minister, would like to apologize to General Chu first."
Chen Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly. "Why did you confess your crime to me? You came to the Jingzhong Camp to deliver supplies to the soldiers. What crime have you committed?"
The Minister of Revenue said with an embarrassed look:
"General Chu, to be honest, I am here to deliver supplies to the Jingzhong Camp today, but I am also here to apologize.
Some time ago, the border troops and the Linhai Army simultaneously submitted memorials requesting supplies for the winter.
General Chu, you also know that this year is different from previous years. Due to disasters and a short harvest, the national treasury’s income is much lower than before..."
Xie Yuheng interrupted the Minister of Revenue impatiently.
"Old man, why are you talking so much nonsense? Are you going to tell Brother Chu that after the Ministry of Revenue gave the other two armies winter supplies, it can't give the Beijing Camp its share?"
All the officers and soldiers looked at the Minister of Revenue.
My heart instantly rose to my throat.
Waiting for a reply.
The Minister of Revenue felt even more uncomfortable facing the looks of the crowd.
Shamelessly said:
"General Xie has misunderstood. The Ministry of Revenue has prepared winter supplies for the Beijing Camp.
However, due to many factors, the Ministry of Revenue can only provide half of the supplies.
The Ministry of Revenue will gather the remaining supplies for the soldiers as soon as possible."
As soon as the Minister of Revenue said this, the whole crowd exploded.
"Half the people's supplies!"
"That means half of the population will have to endure the same difficult winter conditions as in previous years."
"I haven't received winter supplies in three years. This time, we must get our share no matter what."
There was a commotion among the crowd, and many people started arguing:
"We also need winter supplies, and it's our turn now."
The Minister of Revenue looked at the soldiers in chaos, retreated behind Shen Zhao, and then spoke.
"Soldiers, calm down. I promise that every soldier will receive winter supplies. It's only a matter of time."
"I will now hand over the supplies for this half of the people to General Chu. It will be up to General Chu to decide how to distribute them.
After all, these things were obtained by General Chu at the cost of his life for you, so he has the right to dispose of them."
The Minister of Revenue sold Shen Zhao a good deal.
He was really afraid that Chu Mu would report him to the emperor again at this critical juncture.
By then, his tenure as an official will have really come to an end.
The Minister of Revenue asked the people from the Ministry of Revenue to deliver the things and left quickly.
How General Chu distributes the tasks has nothing to do with him. This year is truly the most difficult year.
All the soldiers gathered in the parade ground, staring eagerly at the winter supplies in the center of the parade ground.
Shen Zhao stood on the high platform in the parade ground, looking at the soldiers below.
Loudly said:
"The imperial court's winter supplies have been delivered. Due to various factors, the Ministry of Revenue has only sent winter supplies for half of the people in the Beijing camp."
There was an uproar below.
"How do we divide half of the supplies?"
The soldier who had already known about it spoke up:
“The Minister of Revenue said that all the supplies were sent to the other two armies, and only half of them were left here.
This is clearly an insult to us."
"He said we need to gather them as soon as possible. He's afraid we won't be able to gather the other half by next winter. The Minister of Revenue has given the power of distribution to General Chu. Now it's up to the general to do what he does."
Everyone stared at Shen Zhao on the platform with eager eyes.
Some people questioned that "General Chu's original soldiers and the newly defected Northwest Army, Yao Family Army, and Lu Family Army together account for exactly half of the Jingzhong Camp.
General Chu, you must not abuse your power for personal gain and keep all the things for yourself.
This is what the court has assigned to all of us.”
As soon as this person finished speaking, someone immediately refuted:
"Bullshit! Ask your superiors where these supplies came from."
"General Chu fought for all of this, even at the cost of half his life."
"General Chu has every right to dispose of these winter supplies."
"While it's true that you are all soldiers of the Capital Camp, how many of you obey General Chu and follow his lead? You follow your own lieutenant-general to oppose General Chu, while at the same time shamelessly demanding winter supplies."
"How shameless! If you want something, either obey and submit to General Chu, or have your top general go to the court and beg the emperor."
Everyone was speechless.
The Minister of Revenue and General Xie have just explained clearly how this batch of winter supplies came from.
They really didn't have the face to ask General Chu for these supplies.
But if they don't ask for it, they will have to endure hunger and cold this winter.
Shen Zhao looked at the depressed expressions of the soldiers.
"Everyone, you are all my soldiers. I should treat you all equally and distribute this batch of supplies."
As soon as Shen Zhao said this, everyone who had been dejected just now suddenly became energetic.
Before they could cheer, they heard General Chu speak again.
"But if I do this, I will hurt the hearts of the soldiers who follow me.
They follow me, fight with me everywhere, and protect me. If I can't even give them the most basic guarantee, what use is there for me as the head coach?
This batch of winter supplies was obtained by me, and it should belong to the soldiers under my command.
Do you have any objections?"
Everyone was silent. What right did they have to oppose General Chu's decision?
Ask yourself, if you were General Chu, let alone not giving them winter supplies, it would be a mercy not to take the opportunity to step on them.
I, a secret guard hidden in the camp in the capital, shouted loudly from the crowd:
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