"Hmph, he thinks it's simple. I am a military officer and have no right to recommend a civil official to the Ministry of Personnel. Besides, I am only a thousand-householder. Even if I want to recommend him, I am afraid I can't." After hearing this, Xiao Cheng knew that this was not going to be easy.
"Don't worry, Captain Xiao. We don't expect you to deliver the official documents directly to the Ministry of Personnel. All you need to do is explain in the victory report to the governor and the Ministry of War that your great victory was due to the cooperation of Qinghe County, and especially the great contribution of the current Zhuangban leader Lin Hai. If the governor asks, just tell him directly that Lin Hai knows Qinghe County, and we will take care of the rest."
"That's easy. You can write anything in the battle report. However, the government army suffered such heavy losses. I'm afraid no one will believe me if I go back and say we won a great victory." It seems that Xiao Cheng also thinks this is not impossible. Anyway, if the Ministry of Personnel does not appoint him, Qinghe County probably won't blame him.
"That's easy. The troops you brought with you, including the combat soldiers and able-bodied men, are no more than a thousand. Most of the combat soldiers have died, and the able-bodied men are no longer useful. It would be a waste of food if you kept them. Why not give them all to us? We will give you a thousand combat soldiers in exchange, and we guarantee that you won't suffer any loss.
Ling Yang said with a smile, pointing forward: "I forgot to introduce you, this is Cheng Guorong, the commander of the 4th Battalion of the Qinghe Militia who fought against you today. He will be your deputy from now on. You can leave anything to him. Don't worry, although he is a bit rude, he is still trustworthy in his work."
Xiao Cheng was shocked when he heard this: "You...you want to..."
Ling Yang made a silencing gesture: "Captain Xiao, some things are better left unsaid. Talking them out loud is pointless."
"But aren't you afraid of arousing suspicion? My subordinates are not the kind of women who never leave the house. Many people have seen them in Jinguan City."
"The biggest risk is not the soldiers you left behind. Don't worry, when you return, you can find a reason, such as rewarding them, to gather them together, and leave the rest to Captain Cheng. As for the others, as long as you, the commander of a thousand households, insist that they are your subordinates, who will say anything more? Besides, we will cooperate with you."
"But this... little brother, your plan is too horrifying. Please tell County Magistrate Lin that it's no problem to help him get the official position, but I can't agree to this condition." Xiao Cheng thought about it and felt that the risk was still too great, even exceeding all his expectations before he came.
"Captain Xiao, why are you doing this? There is a way to survive, but you have to go into that big pit?" Ling Yang was still smiling. He waved his hand lightly, and several soldiers holding hemp ropes and gags walked in.
"Captain Xiao, I have one more piece of advice for you. No matter how you feel about the Qinghe militia's combat effectiveness, as long as they're registered with the Ministry of War, the militia is also a government army, and you are also a government army. We are actually one family, so why should we differentiate between us? Would you like to reconsider?"
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