Chapter 525 Pingzhou Atmosphere
When Zhan Ruoshui returned home from Bailu Academy, his wife told him that someone had secretly sent them a letter.
Zhan Ruoshui felt relieved after reading it. The letter must have been sent by someone from the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce, telling him to wait patiently.
At this time, the atmosphere in Zhang Xian's home was also very depressed.
Zhang Xian was able to remain stable and was trying to save himself, thanks to his previous ten years of experience in being sent abroad. It was normal for him to have ups and downs in the officialdom.
His family was affected and was worried about him.
Zhang Xian has been at home for so many days and has come to terms with things.
He fell out of favor, and so did Zuo Anmin. But Zuo Anmin also lost a nephew who was even worse off than him. Thinking about it this way, he didn't seem to be doing so badly after all?
Moreover, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. In addition, the current situation is different. No flower can stay in bloom forever. He feels that no one can remain in favor with the new emperor forever. After all, the new emperor is different from the previous one.
After letting go, his mind was incomparably peaceful. None of this was his fault.
Just then, someone secretly delivered a letter to the Zhang family.
After reading the letter, Zhang Xian felt more at ease.
Yanmen
When news arrived that Xie Zhan and King Cheng had joined forces to fight against the imperial army, Sun Ming mobilized his troops and secretly increased his precautions.
Sun Congyi found it extremely boring.
Two days ago, the court's winter supplies were finally delivered after his father's repeated urging.
However, only 70% of the quantity was delivered, leaving 30% missing.
At that time, his father was on an inspection tour in Bingzhou and was not in Yanmen. Sun Congyi was in charge of the connection.
The quartermaster in charge of transporting supplies kept asking them to be understanding and tolerant, saying that it was not easy for the court either.
Sun Congyi: What does this mean? They're not only responsible for fighting, but also for providing for their own food and clothing? If they don't, they'll have to starve?
He lost his temper and started cursing, "You're not going to give us the missing 30% of the cold-weather supplies? Soldiers have fought bravely, and who doesn't deserve a coat of their own?"
"Hey, General Sun, calm down." The court quartermaster advised him.
"Calm down, sir! I'm going to submit a memorial to the Emperor and ask him: Is this really his will, or are you, the corrupt officials, lining yourselves?"
The court's quartermaster was horrified. "General Sun, the court is really in trouble. We dare not embezzle any money." He almost swore to the sky.
Oh my god, at this point, how dare they reach out? If they dare, their claws will be chopped off.
Seeing that he was unmoved, the court quartermaster could only continue to persuade him, "General Sun, if you submit such a memorial, we officials who are preparing military supplies will certainly suffer, but it will also be a loss for the emperor." The unspoken meaning was that you will not end up well either.
What this corrupt official meant by saying this is that the emperor also knows about giving 70% of the supplies?
Since we can’t afford it, we’ll just have to cut the army! Sun Congyi thought angrily.
The imperial quartermaster also complained bitterly in his heart. He shouldn't have been given this job. Before coming here, Lord Wu had encouraged him, saying that if he did a good job, he would be promoted when he returned. He knew it wouldn't be that easy, sob—
"General Sun, we can't gather supplies, but the emperor doesn't want to mistreat the soldiers." The court quartermaster said carefully.
"So what?" Sun Congyi asked back. If you want compensation, give them something real. Don't give them those empty things.
"This time the imperial court has decided to subsidize you with 100,000 taels of silver."
Sun Congyi thought about it and thought that it would be okay to use 100,000 taels to make up for the 30% of the missing cold-resistant supplies?
Wait, this bastard, if he doesn’t lose his temper this time, will he not take out the 100,000 taels?
Sun Congyi squinted his eyes and looked at the other person. The court quartermaster didn't know what he was looking at and could only smile ingratiatingly.
In the end, Sun Congyi was too lazy to argue with him.
After the people from the Sun family army agreed, the court quartermaster hurriedly made the transaction with them.
As soon as the work was done, he left quickly with his men, as if something was chasing them.
The military supplies custodian from the Sun family army came in with a sigh.
"Young General, these 100,000 taels can indeed buy a lot of charcoal and other cold-weather supplies in normal times, but now it is winter, and we are in a cold place like Yanmen, so charcoal is very valuable."
Sun Congyi nodded. "No matter what, let's distribute the cold-weather supplies we have first. If there's still something missing, see if we can find someone to buy some."
"That's all we can do."
When the supplies were distributed, the soldiers all knew that the court had only distributed 70% of the cold-resistant supplies, and the remaining 30% was compensated with 100,000 taels of silver.
Then the soldiers had something to say.
They found Sun Congyi and said, "Boss, the court is quite stingy."
To be honest, these 100,000 taels may seem like a lot, but on average each soldier would only get one or two taels.
"Yes, it's not as grand as Pingzhou."
"Pingzhou is truly generous. I heard from my neighbor's grandmother's uncle's cousin that after their governor took office, they distributed a reward. This time, all Pingzhou soldiers who participated in the battle will receive a reward. Those who participated in the defense of the city will receive at least ten taels, and those who participated in the Battle of Pinggang will receive at least twenty taels."
The soldiers around him drooled as they heard this.
"That's not all. They'll be rewarded ten taels for every Xianbei soldier they kill."
"Wow--" the soldiers exclaimed.
The reward of silver is more direct. They accumulate military merits by killing Xianbei soldiers, but they all know that although the military merits are accumulated, it is not easy to increase them.
If the imperial court rewards them in this way, they will certainly be more courageous in killing the enemy than they are now.
Now that Pingzhou has been mentioned, some people are thinking of other places.
One soldier was curious, "I wonder how the soldiers of the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Cheng, and the Lingnan Governor's office are being treated?"
"It's too far away, I can't find out where it is, but I think it won't be any better than Pingzhou."
Sun Congyi did not stop them from discussing these things. Fighting in war is hard enough, and there are restrictions here and there on a daily basis. What's the point of living?
Sure enough, everyone dispersed while discussing.
At this time, a centurion who was usually very clever approached Sun Congyi and whispered, "General Sun, someone wants to see you."
Sun Congyi said lazily, "Who is it?" Can anyone see him whenever they want?
"People have cotton clothes, charcoal, and food in their hands. Just tell me if you want to see them."
"See, I must see you!"
When Sun Congyi saw Wu Ren, he was completely numb.
"General Sun, I've long admired you." Wu Ren was the first to greet him.
"You are Wu Ren, the general manager of Liaodong Chamber of Commerce, right?" Sun Congyi felt that he had not recognized the wrong person.
Wu Ren smiled and said, "It's me."
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