diymy Chapter 026 Too Much Confidence
Chapter 026 Too Much Confidence
Chapter 026
The gatekeeper of the Guide Guard Commandery checked the warrant and hurriedly went in to report.
A short while later, a hearty laugh rang out: "Haha... I've been waiting for this day and night, and finally Commander Chen has arrived!"
Liu Huan was almost overly enthusiastic, grabbing Chen Ying's arm with considerable force: "The Ministry of War's warrants have been delivered, and we are to cooperate fully."
Chen Ying understood that this enthusiasm was mostly out of respect for Xu Xianchun and Wei Zhongxian. He bowed calmly and said, "This humble official, Chen Boying, greets Commander. I am new here and have many matters to attend to; I hope you can guide me."
"Of course, of course! Come in, please come in. All my colleagues are waiting to meet you."
Liu Huan affectionately pulled Chen Ying inside, through the front courtyard, and into the main hall.
A dozen or so officers had already gathered in the hall. Liu Huan introduced them one by one: the deputy commander, the assistant commander, and the commanders of each garrison. The officers' attitudes varied: some greeted him warmly, some nodded reservedly, and some watched with shifty eyes and cold indifference.
Chen Ying treated everyone with courtesy, but his mind was clear as day. Gui De Wei seemed calm on the surface, but in reality, it was deeply entrenched. He knew that his "lucky advancement" had affected the interests of countless people.
After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Huan got down to business, his smile fading slightly: "Commander Chen, the Ministry of War's warrant says that the entire Right Commander's Office is to be transferred to Changping for duty. Are you aware of this?"
"Since it is an order from above, I, Chen, will naturally obey..."
Chen Ying looked troubled: "The Right Thousand Household Commander governs over a thousand military households, and with their families, there are no fewer than four or five thousand people. This is a long migration, and it's late autumn. Food, fodder, mules, horses, and border defenses along the way cannot be arranged hastily. Could you perhaps grant us some more time?"
Liu Huan said calmly, "However, military affairs in Changping are urgent, and the Ministry of War has issued a strict order that we must arrive before the end of the year. I have already calculated the journey. There is no heavy snow blocking the roads yet. If we speed up our preparations, we can set off within ten days and travel day and night. We can still make it in time. Food, supplies, and equipment will be provided by local governments along the way. It is better to do it sooner rather than later."
"Yes, sir!"
For Liu Huan and the Gui De Guard Commandery, Chen Boying was a hot potato—they couldn't afford to offend him, and it would be best to send him out of the country politely.
Who comes to perform their duties empty-handed?
But Chen Boying was empty-handed. It is likely that since the establishment of Guide Guard during the Hongwu period, only Chen Boying, the commander of a thousand households, was the only one who could write.
Is Chen Ying truly ignorant of social etiquette?
No, because he knew he was being transferred to Changping, and it was a change of residence, which meant that it was almost impossible for him to return to his hometown of Yongcheng.
All the connections and relationships within Guide Prefecture are meaningless. As the saying goes, you can go to a bar by bicycle. Save where you should and spend where you should. Even if he doesn't spend a single penny at the Guide Guard Commandery, Liu Huan will definitely get things done.
"Knock knock knock..."
At the drill ground in front of the Right Thousand Household Office of Guide Guard, all ten centurions of the Right Thousand Household Office, including the farthest Xige Centurion Office, had arrived at the drill ground.
The ten centurions, twenty bannermen, and more than a thousand military households were mostly emaciated and thin, their flesh barely covering their bones. In contrast, the officers, whether centurions or bannermen, all had oily, shiny faces, creating a stark contrast.
The position of commander of the Right Thousand Household Office had been vacant for a long time, and the duties were temporarily handled by two deputy commanders. At this moment, they stood at the front of the line, their expressions uncertain.
Chen Ying stepped onto the platform, his gaze sweeping over the officers below. Their armor was incomplete, their complexions varied—some pale, others slick—and their posture was slouching, clearly indicating the long-standing neglect of their posts. He unfolded a document and read aloud, his voice echoing clearly across the drill ground:
"By order of Minister of War Wang Zaijin: Chen Boying, formerly Right Banner Commander of the Guide Guard, is hereby promoted to Right Commander of the Guide Guard. All officers, soldiers, and military households of the Guide Guard Right Commander's Office are to be transferred immediately and relocated to Changping within a specified period, to be converted into the Shahe Garrison Commander's Office, to strengthen its defenses. All personnel, equipment, horses, and registers must be inspected and handed over immediately. All personnel, equipment, horses, and registers are to be under the complete command of Chen Boying, without fail! He must arrive in Changping before the end of the year; those who fail to do so will be punished according to military law!"
The officers of the Right Thousand Household Office below the stage reacted calmly, because they had already heard rumors, but the military households were instantly in an uproar.
"The entire institute will be transferred?"
"Changping? It's so cold up north..."
"There are only two more months until Chinese New Year..."
"What will happen to our belongings? What will happen to the land?"
"My lord, it is not that we are disobeying orders, but the matter has happened so suddenly. We have lived here for generations, and our fields and houses are still there. This sudden relocation has caused widespread panic, and we fear something terrible might happen. Moreover, what about our provisions, carts, and horses..."
Chen Ying coldly replied, "Military orders are absolute; how can they be questioned? The land and houses will be handled according to the laws of the court and the garrison, either at a discounted price or temporarily entrusted to them. They may be returned after the war. As for provisions and carts, the Commander has already promised assistance. Your priority is to return immediately, appease the military households, inventory supplies, and compile a report! Within three days, I need to see detailed registers of households, weapons, and provisions! Within ten days, you must set off!"
"I know some of you have doubts, difficulties, or even complaints. But I'll make this clear: this is a matter of great importance to the military and the nation, concerning the defense of the northern border and your future prospects. If you handle it well, there will be opportunities for rewards and promotions in Changping; if you botch it, or if you feign compliance, delay, or slack off... we need a few examples to set an example!"
The drill ground fell silent instantly.
The military households of the Ming Dynasty were actually quite loyal to the court. After all, although their lives were not very comfortable, they were still much better off than ordinary people.
Especially the military households of Guide Prefecture, where the people are fierce and martial, but it is a great pity that for many years they have had no place to use their talents.
Now things are looking up. They're being transferred to Changping and will become the garrison commander of a thousand households. You should know that the garrison commander of a thousand households is different from an ordinary thousand households. It has an independent military organization and is not subordinate to any of the guard commands, but is directly subordinate to the provincial command. It focuses on defense and is mainly for war preparation.
It's close to the Xuanfu defense line, and they'll be there to take over if needed. This isn't good for the old, lazy soldiers, but it's a great opportunity for the young military households.
Many young military households were eager to try their luck, dreaming that they could use their swords to gain military merit, preferably by beheading a Jurchen, thus getting a promotion or a reward of sixty taels of silver.
"Of course, the imperial court will provide resettlement funds and provisions for this relocation, and I will do my best to secure them for you brothers. Once you arrive in Changping, as long as you serve diligently and strive for a better future, it will be better than suffering here. Whether you seize the opportunity to change your way of life or ruin your own and others' lives, you should weigh the options yourselves."
Chen Ying said no more, and bowed to Liu Huan: "Commander, I need to immediately begin to sort out the accounts and warehouses of the Right Thousand Household Office, and I request that you assign a familiar clerk to assist me. Time is of the essence, please excuse my rudeness."
Liu Huan laughed heartily: "Commander Chen is decisive and efficient; I admire him! Assistant Magistrate Pei, take two clerks and fully cooperate with Commander Chen. If you need any coordination from the garrison, just come to me!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Chen Ying ignored the officers below the stage, who had their own thoughts, and strode away from the training ground.
Song Xianze followed closely behind and whispered, "Brother-in-law, such a tough stance might stir up some undercurrents."
"Undercurrents? We'll have to deal with that once they reach Changping alive!"
Chen Ying was well aware that Liu Huan would not give him the Right Thousand-Household Commander, who was the most capable fighter in Guide Guard; he would probably give him mostly old, weak, sick, and disabled men.
"I didn't try to win people over gradually. In chaotic times, harsh measures are needed; in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are required. First, set up the framework, move the people, and then gradually reorganize along the way. As for the undercurrents..."
Chen Ying smiled faintly and said, "The Garrison Command is not the same as the Agricultural Reclamation Command. As long as Eunuch Wei is still around, they won't dare to cause trouble openly. As for what happens secretly... it's good to see who can be used and who must be eliminated. Changping is probably more complicated than here. It's not a bad thing to experience it sooner."
"That Chen's Carriage Workshop?"
"Keep building!"
Chen Ying sighed and said, "The north is bitterly cold. The carriage workshop can be tied to the Pengcheng Marquis's residence; it will at least leave my father a way to make a living!"
Chen Ying will not be taking Chen Youshi and the An family with him on his trip to Changping. The capital is a fierce vortex of struggle, and he himself cannot guarantee that he can make it through smoothly.
He was young and strong, and even if the situation turned bad, he could escape. But Chen Youshi and the An family were his burden and weakness.
It would be better to let them stay in Yongcheng.
In the days that followed, Chen Ying was extremely busy, checking the military household registers, taking inventory of the armory, and indeed found a large number of shortages and damages. He also calculated the amount of grain and fodder, arranged the relocation route for families, contacted the transport and horse caravan, and issued official documents...
What surprised Chen Ying the most was that his brother-in-law, Song Xianze, demonstrated amazing pragmatism, discovering a large number of unclear accounts in just one day.
Chen Ying ordered that the missing equipment be replenished within a specified period. The missing equipment was recorded. Some of it was requested to be transferred from the garrison warehouse, while others were planned to be purchased along the way. As for the two centurions who were secretly instigating and slacking off, Chen Ying did not hesitate to call on Xu Xianchun of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The collapse of military discipline in the Ming Dynasty's garrison system was directly related to the system itself. Even the garrison commander had no authority to deal with a small sergeant; he could only impeach them and have them removed from their military post.
The whole process would take at least two or three months. The Embroidered Uniform Guard had no such concerns. Xu Xianchun also knew that Chen Ying wanted to establish his authority. So, he publicly reprimanded Zhou Jiechun, Qu Qiankun, and Wang Defa, the former centurions of Ma Mu, Liu He, and Hui Ting, stripping them of their military posts and giving them one hundred lashes. The three centurions were beaten to death.
For a time, the Right Thousand Household Office was in a state of panic, but its efficiency suddenly improved.
It also took seven days to complete the carriage for Wei Zhongxian. Chen Ying had indeed put some thought into this carriage. Unlike Zhu Youjian's carriage, this four-wheeled carriage not only used luxurious materials, but also had copper-plated ornaments in the carriage and some gold and jade designs.
The entire RV exudes the luxurious atmosphere of a nouveau riche, even the toilet is inlaid with gold trim.
Xu Xianchun looked at the spacious and luxurious four-wheeled carriage and nodded with great satisfaction, saying, "Not bad!"
"If time weren't so tight, I could have improved even more!"
Chen Ying pointed to the heater and said, "Northern winters are cold, so this carriage has been equipped with a heater. Even while the carriage is in motion, you only need to light some coal or charcoal at the back of the carriage, and the whole carriage will be warm as spring without the need for a brazier."
"That's so thoughtful!"
Chen Ying then gently pressed a button inside the carriage and heard a loud bang outside.
"boom!"
Xu Xianchun was suddenly taken aback: "What's going on?"
"This is an anti-stabbing shield!"
Chen Ying pointed to the steel plates outside the car window: "But they're shields made of high-quality steel, effectively protecting against crossbow bolts and musket fire. If danger is sensed, the shield can be activated from inside the vehicle!"
What was that explosion outside?
After a moment's consideration, Chen Ying said, "This is a call for backup. The explosion indicates danger, and the guards several miles away can arrive quickly!"
Chen Ying naturally didn't tell the truth. The shield he created was affected by friction and couldn't fall naturally according to gravity. To avoid embarrassment, he could only use the impact force of an explosion to put the shield down instantly.
Xu Xianchun gestured to one of the Imperial Guards, who understood and quickly drew his sword, slashing at the shield.
"Clang..."
With a metallic clang, sparks flew, leaving only a shallow mark on the shield.
Another member of the Imperial Guard picked up a folding crossbow and fired an arrow.
Five paces away, the shield also left a shallow mark.
"Is this really steel?"
"That's right!"
To build this carriage, Chen Ying used 580 catties of steel just for the shield. There was no other way; Xu Xianchun had given him too much. In addition to the various timbers for the twelve carriages, there were also 5,000 taels of silver and 1,600 taels of gold.
"Very good, excellent!"
Xu Xianchun could imagine how happy Eunuch Wei, who usually loved grand displays, would be to see this magnificent carriage that rivaled that of the emperor.
"Actually, that's not all!"
Chen Ying pointed to the armrest inside the carriage, where there was a lifelike tiger head. He hadn't even bothered to remove the dragon's head. He said to Xu Xianchun, "My lord..."
"All of you, stand back!"
Chen Ying lowered his voice and said, "Lord Xu, please look here... If Eunuch Wei is in the carriage and encounters an assassin, he only needs to press a button lightly!"
"Bang!"
A lead bullet was fired from the armrest, striking the carriage's shield and leaving a dent.
"This... this is amazing... truly amazing, Lord Chen, your skill is truly superb!"
Xu Xianchun said with some envy, "Lord Chen, may I make a deal? Could you... make me a car like this too? Of course, it should be a grade lower than this one!"
"No problem, it's just that there's not enough time, Mr. Chen is getting married tomorrow!"
"Then we'll wait until Lord Chen arrives in Changping!"
"Thank you for your understanding, sir!"
Chen Ying and Song Yanniang's original wedding date was supposed to be the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month in the fifth year of the Tianqi reign. However, plans can't keep up with changes. Xu Xianchun used his connections to push him to the position of Right Thousand Household of Guide Guard. Unfortunately, he had to immediately take the Right Thousand Household Office and the Construction Bureau to Changping.
Left with no other choice, he had to move up the wedding date.
If the wedding date is postponed, Chen Ying is afraid that Song Yanniang will overthink things. Ever since he became a fifth-rank commander, Song Yanniang has become much more silent.
Without asking, Chen Ying knew that she was feeling inferior.
This is the Ming Dynasty, not the future. In the Ming Dynasty, a woman of Song Yanniang's height would be considered an anomaly, and it would be very difficult for her to find a husband.
Chen Ying was no longer the poor soldier who never knew where his next meal would come from, so she naturally worried that he would abandon her and marry someone else.
"I will give you a great gift later!"
On the 12th day of the 10th month of the 5th year of the Tianqi reign, it is auspicious for marriage, travel, setting up a bed, bathing, and laying foundations.
Avoid taking office, moving, or litigation.
Ma Mu, a commercial town that prospered because of the canal, is bustling more than ever before. Chen Ying's newly built house is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and is filled with joy.
Although time was limited, everything was kept simple.
Chen Ying, dressed in a bright red auspicious robe, arrived at the Song family home in Songjiazhuang to welcome the bride.
"Brother-in-law, the guests are arriving one after another."
Song Xianze changed into new clothes, his face beaming with joy. He was even happier than Chen Ying, because his sister, Song Yanniang, had finally gotten married.
Finally, the mountain that had been looming overhead flew away.
However, Song Xianze was clearly overthinking things. Chen Ying was so eager to marry Song Yanniang in order to deeply bind Song Xianze to him. He was about to go to Changping to serve as the commander of the Shahe Garrison. According to Chen Ying's prediction, Emperor Tianqi would most likely not appoint him as a garrison commander, but rather put him in charge of craftsmanship.
Now that Chen Ying has the start-up capital, he will continue to leverage existing resources and take risks. How can he succeed without Song Xianze, a top strategist?
Therefore, Song Xianze was too happy too soon.