"But your move was really clever. You used the opportunity of recruiting soldiers to do people a favor, and you also found a whole bunch of veterans to be your loyal followers. Hahaha!"
"I can't even imagine how many people will rush to beg us once we spread the word, hahaha!"
The Tang Dynasty had not built a new Zhechong Prefecture for ten years, so for those troublemakers who wanted to go ashore, Sanglin Zhechong Prefecture was their only chance!
"It's mutually beneficial, and the imperial court will also gain an elite force. Why not do it!"
"Don't be modest. With just a blink of your eye, you come up with such a brilliant plan. No wonder His Majesty is wary of you, hahaha!"
After joking around with Li Jing, Yuchi Jingde immediately ordered the news to be spread.
Sure enough, people came to the door that afternoon asking for a spot.
Cheng Yaojin was the first to hear the news and the first to bring gifts to the door to ask for a spot.
"Old Bear, I heard you're currently preparing to build a new Zhechong Prefecture?"
"yes!"
"I'm not only going to build a military headquarters, but also a high-ranking one with 1,200 people!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin's eyes lit up immediately. A military command of 1,200 men must need many mid-level officers.
"Old Bear, do you need any more officers?"
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde immediately shook his head.
"We don't need any!"
"I have several retainers who have followed me in battles across the country over the years and have rendered countless merits. However, due to a minor flaw, they have never received any rewards from the imperial court. I intend to take this opportunity to secure them positions in the General's Office, as a way of repaying their kindness in following me all these years!"
"Uh..."
Cheng Yaojin was stunned when he heard this. He also had many of his retainers who wanted to find a way out.
"Please make an exception and give us a few spots!"
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde immediately flew into a rage.
How many more do you want?
"A Zhechong Prefecture only has a few officials. Don't even think about becoming a Zhechong Commandant; His Majesty has already appointed that position. You can try to become a Left or Right Guoyi Commandant, but there are only two spots available. There is one each for the positions of Deputy General, Chief Clerk, Military Advisor, and Military Officer; these are considered officials with official titles from the court."
"A government with 1,200 men can be set up with four regiments, each with a brigade commander, which would only amount to four brigade commanders."
"Each regiment is divided into six teams, and each team has only two people: a captain and a deputy captain. Each team is further divided into six fire stations, and each fire station has only one fire station commander."
"I have dozens of retainers waiting in my hands. Do you think I can give you a few spots?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin panicked on the spot. He hadn't expected that Yuchi Jingde wanted it all.
"Lord Yuchi, please lend me a proper official position, plus a dozen or so ordinary soldiers!"
"Just an official position?"
"Just one!"
Seeing Cheng Yaojin say this, Yuchi Jingde reluctantly relented.
"All right!"
"Cadre, Military Advisor, Deputy General, or Chief Clerkâchoose one of these positions!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin immediately flattered him.
"Can't you give me a captain's rank?"
"There are only two positions for the Captain, and I don't even have enough for myself, so how could I possibly have any extra for you!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin smiled slyly.
"Haven't you always been thinking about that coral tree in my yard?"
"If you give me a captain, I will give you that coral tree!"
"oh?"
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde's eyes lit up immediately. He had indeed been eyeing Cheng Yaojin's coral tree for a long time.
That coral tree was truly beautiful; it was five feet tall and entirely red, without a single other color.
Cheng Yaojin was willing to exchange this item for the position of captain, which shows how important this person was to him.
"Old Cheng, tell me the truth, is this person your illegitimate son?"
"Hmph, if this person were truly my illegitimate son, I really wouldn't be willing to use coral trees to pave his way!"
"Who is this person...?"
"He's a descendant of an old friend!"
"An old acquaintance?"
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde pondered for a moment and suddenly recalled Cheng Yaojin's early experiences.
"Wagang Village?"
Cheng Yaojin sighed upon hearing this.
"Brother Yuchi guessed right, this is the very person I owed a debt to back in Wagang Village!"
What's this person's name?
"Shan Daozhen!"
"hiss!"
Yuchi Jingde gasped. No wonder Cheng Yaojin was willing to take out the coral tree just to get a spot in the imperial guards. It turned out that this man was Shan Xiongxin's son!
"I understand. Forget about the coral tree. If you're going to give it to someone, don't give it to me. Just give it to the captain of the Sanglin Garrison!"
"Who is the Commandant?"
"Li Zhong!"
"And who is Li Zhong?"
"You can't tell!"
"But I can assure you one thing: this person's status is extremely noble!"
"Extremely valuable?"
Cheng Yaojin was an extremely intelligent man, and upon hearing this, he immediately pointed to the sky.
"You mean..."
"right!"
Upon hearing Yuchi Jingde's affirmative reply, Cheng Yaojin jumped up excitedly.
This is such a pleasant surprise!
If he could really get involved with the royal family, Shan Daozhen would rise to prominence in just a few years!
This coral tree was a great gift!
"This matter must not be revealed to outsiders!"
Cheng Yaojin curled his lip in disdain upon hearing this.
Do you think I'm stupid?
"I can barely keep this good news a secret, how could I possibly let it out!"
After Yuchi Jingde finalized the quota with Cheng Yaojin, he realized that he hadn't yet asked the child what he had done wrong.
"By the way, this child committed a crime in his younger years, didn't he?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin secretly rolled his eyes, thinking to himself, "If I hadn't committed a crime, would I have needed to come to you for help? I, Old Cheng, would have already arranged everything clearly for him!"
"He did commit some offenses..."
"How big of a deal is it?"
"It's nothing serious. It's just that when I was fighting against Gaochang with Hou Junji, I snatched one of the Gaochang king's concubines to be my wife..."
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde was stunned and then stood up to chase the person away.
"Get out of here!"
"Our Zhechong Prefecture also has its bottom line; we don't accept just anyone!"
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