Xu Di wanted this effect: to let the surrounding villagers see what these soldiers do on a daily basis, so that they wouldn't be unwilling to join the army just because they think that being a soldier is hard and dangerous. Xu Di also planned to implement a salary system and an honor system to make everyone feel that joining the army to protect their country is an extremely glorious thing.
Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Di said to everyone, "Folks, it's getting late. Let's go home first. General Zheng said that our barracks will be open to everyone regularly. Anyone who wants to come and visit, someone from the county government will come and take you in. How about that?"
A cheer erupted from the crowd. The soldiers in the camp were already lined up in the courtyard to see them off. The civilians who came to give gifts couldn't help but straighten their backs when they saw the soldiers standing upright on both sides.
Xu Di led the group outside the barracks, saw the civilians off, and then went with Zheng Boyuan to Zheng Boyuan's office.
Zheng Boyuan's office was actually a low-ceilinged building with a thatched roof. It had been there for many years. When the snow melted, it seeped into the thatch, and when the ground froze, the thatch froze solid. Normally, it wasn't a problem, but if the room got warm, the water on the thatch would melt and drip down.
Because of this, Zheng Boyuan was unwilling to stay in his own room and ate and slept with the soldiers he was with. He brought Xu Di to this room because he wanted to find a place to talk to him.
As soon as he entered, it felt like stepping into an ice cellar. Xu Di shivered and said, "Why didn't you heat up the kang (heated brick bed)?"
Zheng Boyuan said, "When the room gets warm, water drips from the roof, which is a hassle. I don't usually stay in this room, so I might as well not waste the firewood."
Xu Di looked at the simple room and said, "Don't worry, when spring comes, I will build you a barracks that looks good and is comfortable to live in, and prepare a bright and comfortable office for you."
Zheng Boyuan laughed heartily and said, "Alright, then we'll have to rely on you, brother-in-law."
Xu Di wrapped his cotton cloak tighter around himself and said, "Today's events were all thanks to your younger sister. She did what I expected. I must give her a good commendation when we get back."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Boyuan laughed and said, "She's just a child playing around."
Xu Di shook his head and said, "I've discovered some secrets about the Zhou family. I'd like to send someone to find out what those secrets are. As for the Chen family, they're also keeping things secret. I just don't know whose interests I'll harm if I uncover these secrets."
Zheng Boyuan knew what Xu Di was doing in secret, and said with a smile, "Those people in the capital are all short of money right now. If you dig out the rat hole, the one who will benefit in the end is His Majesty."
Xu Di waved his hand and said, "Keep your voice down, be careful of eavesdroppers. Let me tell you, people die for money and birds die for food. I've kept it a secret so no one has noticed yet. If they do find out, they might team up against me. When that happens, I won't have anywhere to hide."
Zheng Boyuan chuckled and whispered, "It's only because you're so bold that you dare to poke holes in any kind of hole. If it were anyone else, who would dare to do that?"
Xu Di thought of the secret letter sent from the capital and said in a low voice, "To tell you the truth, we have defeated the Northern Barbarians so badly that they can't get up again. Now someone wants to attack the Jurchens. What do you think the Japanese invaders are here for? They are just testing the waters to see if our Great Liang can withstand them. If we really lose the strength to resist, don't worry, the Jurchens might just join the Japanese and march all the way from Dengzhou Prefecture to the capital."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Boyuan's expression changed drastically. He took out a coastal defense map from his drawer, and the more he looked at it, the uglier his expression became. He gritted his teeth and said, "These despicable scoundrels who dig up ancestral graves are treating the lives of ordinary people with utter contempt for their own selfish desires."
Xu Di nodded and said, "So that's why I'm here. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I'll teach those petty thieves a lesson. If they come, I'll keep them here. If they come in pairs, I'll keep them in pairs."
Zheng Boyuan sighed, thinking of Xu Di's unparalleled wisdom, and said, "You should join the army and become a great general."
Xu Di scoffed and said, "You know that this dynasty values civil officials over military ones. What's so good about being a general? When they need you, they promise you all sorts of benefits, but when they don't, you're just a thorn in their side. How many loyal ministers and generals have fallen because of unfounded suspicion? I'd rather be a powerful minister, staying by the emperor's side, figuring out his thoughts, and doing my own little tricks according to his wishes. When I'm out in the world, people will look at me with great respect. Tell me, isn't that more prestigious?"
Zheng Boyuan nodded and said, "It's good that you have a place in the court. At least we loyal soldiers can fight with peace of mind. Otherwise, we would be fighting on the front lines while we have to be wary of being stabbed in the back. That would be so difficult."
After joking with Zheng Boyuan, Xu Di said, "Although the weather is cold today, we can't let our guard down, especially in the coastal areas where it's easy to land. We need to be on guard against pirates coming to attack us. We've just arrived here, so our morale is very important. If they suddenly launch an attack on us, not only will we feel humiliated, but the local people won't trust us either."
Zheng Boyuan kept agreeing, repeatedly saying that he would strengthen patrols, and only then did Xu Di feel relieved enough to take the man home to prepare for the New Year.
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