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Since that day's celebration banquet, military reorganization had begun on Luoling Island, reclassifying merchant ships and warships, and redistributing personnel. This was undoubtedly a major undertaking, but the chiefs were most concerned about the militia on shore.
"Boss, are you really going to move Ah Hu, Ah Yun, and the others ashore? These are the people we've worked so hard to train. Wouldn't it be a waste to send them ashore?" Upon hearing Li Niu's plan, his deputy immediately shouted. These people, whose names were called out, were all members of the Li family who had just been promoted to "Team Leaders." They were considered the backbone of the fleet. How could they be sent to the militia so easily?
"What do you know? How many people on the sea dare to go against us? They usually just suppress bandits, guard merchant caravans, and occasionally fight with other ship gangs. It would be a pity to keep such talents on the ship. They should go ashore to gain experience!" Li Niu scolded bluntly.
Li Hai felt overwhelmed and couldn't help but ask, "But isn't the militia used to house the disabled? If all those with broken arms and legs were transferred there, it would just be training them. How much use would they have?"
Li Niu was not polite with him and slapped him on the head: "I have explained it so clearly, and you still don't understand! The gang leader said to form an army, but he didn't say whether this Red Flag Army is a navy or a land army. There are prohibitions on the ship, not to harass the villages on the shore. In the future, we will have to rely on the troops on the shore. What is the purpose of setting up a militia at this time? It is not clear!"
Li Hai seemed to be awakened and immediately realized: "Could it be that the gang leader is planning to attack the city on the shore?"
"That's not necessarily the case. It's just that the world is so chaotic, maybe some thieves are targeting Dongning. Our wealth is all on the shore. If we don't have some manpower, how can we intimidate others?" Li Niu smacked his lips. "Of course, the leader is a man of great talent and strategy, so maybe he has other plans."
This was quite eye-opening. Li Hai pondered for a moment, then said carefully, "Even so, wouldn't it be enough to just pick a few sergeants? The militia is just starting out, and we don't know when we'll have to fight. Now is the crucial time to prepare the fleet. How can we possibly send so many people over? I don't see anyone else doing that."
Li Niu snorted, "That's Sun Er hiding his abilities and refusing to step forward at this time. Lin Meng just listens to the leader and naturally won't make any moves."
Li Hai hissed softly, "If we step out forcefully, won't that make the gang leader wary?"
"What are you saying? We push people up, but isn't it up to the gang leader to decide whether to accept them?" Li Niu gave his younger brother a look of disdain. "Besides, the militia is also there to protect Dongning. We, the Li family, are not from Dongning anymore, so naturally we have to serve the gang leader."
This is quite an arrogant statement, but Li Hai really can't find any fault with it. After all, the boss always behaves like this in front of the gang leader and never causes any trouble. Isn't this something the gang leader is happy to see?
"Alright, then I'll talk to them. If I can take control of the militia..."
Before Li Hai could finish his words, Li Niu glared at him and said, "Tell those bastards to back off. I didn't send them here to take power! There are still many people on the shore. How can we take everything?"
Why send those elites if they are not in power? Li Hai was confused, his eyes full of stars. Li Niu ignored him and sighed to himself: "Alas, they are all idiots. It seems that I have to go to school to learn some writing and calculation skills."
Li Hai: “…”
Compared with the large army concentrated at sea, the troops on the shore are much smaller, but when it comes to the militia, there are indeed people available.
Standing in front of the shimmering and vast salt pond, Cheng Xi breathed a sigh of relief: "These salt ponds are well built. You have put a lot of thought into it."
Zhao Pu immediately said, "It is thanks to the leader's planning that we can focus on transforming the salt fields."
These words came from the heart. Ever since he joined the Red Flag Gang, he had already experienced two life-and-death battles. However, although he was near Dongning, Dongmen County had never suffered an enemy attack. No one had destroyed the salt fields, and they were constantly being filled with prisoners. Wouldn't it be much faster to build the salt pond?
Now all the salt fields under their name have been converted into salt ponds. Several other salt merchants have also been tempted. After defeating the Changjing Gang, they even planned to join them. After this battle, Dongmen can be said to be an iron wall.
However, this flattery didn't seem to hit the mark. Cheng Xi suddenly said, "When the Long Whale Bandits attacked before, I failed to stop the Ghost Scholar, which is my biggest regret."
These words were said calmly, but Zhao Pu's back tensed up. He said carefully, "It was because I was too worried that I failed to send the troops quickly. I hope the leader will punish me."
At the time, Zhao Pu was indeed a fresh force assisting in the defense of Dongning. However, fearing that the Long Whale Gang might deploy reinforcements, he was overly cautious in his deployment of troops. He did not attack the rebels when they attacked the county town, but instead chose to intercept them during their hasty retreat. However, who could have imagined that a mere attack would necessitate the dispatch of the Long Whale Gang's second-in-command, thus making him the scapegoat for allowing the enemy to retreat.
Without blaming anyone, Cheng Xi just sighed: "Ning Fu has a grudge against me, and now he has fled in a hurry. I'm afraid he has other plans for the future."
After interrogating the captives, she had grasped the situation. Ning Fu had first proposed an attack on Dongning, then fled alone as the bandits ravaged the area, throwing the Long Whale Gang into disarray and leading to their defeat. Did he guess her plans in Qiongzhou? Regardless, Ning Fu had ultimately fled, abandoning the entire Long Whale Gang and its associated naval forces. If he wanted revenge, he would have to use the bandits' wrath. Whether for the Red Flag Gang or Dongning, she had to make plans early.
And the militia is part of this plan.
After sighing, she turned her head and looked at Zhao Pu intently: "I'm planning to set up militias in Dongning and Dongmen, and I might need to mobilize a lot of salt farmers. Do you have any problems?"
Zhao Pu quickly said, "Now that the salt pond has been built, we really don't need so many people here. Gang leader, please make the arrangements."
Drying salt in the salt pond saves more manpower than boiling salt. Moreover, they have already belonged to the Red Flag Gang and can no longer train a large number of family soldiers, let alone hold people captive.
Cheng Xi said, "Just salt farmers are not enough. You salt merchants have always been good at fighting, but you are too frivolous. If you can train a few of them, you can become the main force of the militia."
Zhao Pu shuddered. Was he going to recruit the illegal salt dealers from the East Gate? If it had been two months earlier, he wouldn't have dared even think about it. However, there was no force in Nanhai bigger than the Red Flag Gang now. If he wanted to avoid being skinned alive, he had no choice but to obey their orders. Besides, he was a member of the Red Flag Gang.
"If the boss doesn't mind our crudeness, he will do his best to serve us." Zhao Pu lowered his head deeply and answered respectfully.
"You are a smart person and you have the ability to judge people. I'll leave these to you. There will definitely be a place for you in the militia in the future." Cheng Xi said frankly.
Zhao Pu was indeed a useful talent, and even more so, he possessed a clear mind and a sense of proportion, making him a suitable military talent. However, the militia could not be entrusted to him, as it should be a larger group, primarily engaged in farming, with a half-farming and half-warfare component, encompassing the three Dongning clans and the Dongmen salt merchants, thus achieving a balance between these various factions.
There have always been factions in the military, and it is not surprising that those rough men suddenly take control of the military force and have any thoughts.
Therefore, as the gang leader, she has to worry about keeping a tight grip on the reins and unifying thoughts, and all of this cannot be achieved without the help of scholars who are good at writing.
Speaking of which, when will those talented people mentioned by Tian Yu arrive at the camp? She can’t wait any longer.
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