Chapter 451: This Was No Joke
In the evening, Shi Jian and White Cat were lounging around the streets of Hancheng with a large group of military officials.
They were clearly the newly arrived “well-connected” outsiders, but now they had practically become the “big bosses” within the two military units. The other captains of equal rank had all turned into their underlings.
Even the commander in charge of four hundred troops, who outranked them by a level, nodded and bowed respectfully to them. It was a case of subordinates controlling their superior.
Well, what could anyone do? They were the ones holding the grain.
In these times, being rich didn’t necessarily make you impressive, but having grain definitely did.
The army had long been short on grain and pay. From the generals down to the lowliest soldiers, everyone was starving, hoping daily for the court to send provisions and wages. In this situation, who the hell dared to offend two brothers who treated everyone to meals daily?
For instance, right now, they were treating everyone again. They had surrounded a small bun shop with a large group of soldiers.
The bun shop had been closed for over a year. Unable to buy flour, the owner couldn’t operate his shop. He had given up and was simply waiting for death. Yet today, he was surrounded by a pack of soldiers, trembling with fear.
Shi Jian smiled and waved at the soldiers nearby. “Hey, why are you all scowling like Fearsome Deities? Don’t scare the owner. We are all children of the common folk, born and raised by them. Be polite to them.”
The soldiers quickly tried their best to beam kind smiles at the owner…
Li Daoxuan, outside the box, silently chuckled. Good. Shi Jian and White Cat were subtly influencing these soldiers. As long as they kept repeating this to the soldiers — appealing to their emotions and their interests — they could slowly change their mindset and how they dealt with others.
Shi Jian smiled gently at the owner. “I’ve heard that the buns you make are called Hancheng Sesame Buns — a unique local specialty, renowned far and wide. I’ve specially brought the brothers here to try them. Don’t worry, we’ll pay.”
The beef pancake in Li Daoxuan’s hand instantly lost its appeal. “Damn it, more special delicacies? Argh! Just seeing them makes me angry!”
The bun shop owner said bitterly, “The buns I make are indeed well-known. But with the years of great drought and the soaring grain price, the little flour I could buy was barely enough to feed myself. I couldn’t possibly open the shop.”
A smile spread across Shi Jian’s face. “When the common folk encounter difficulties, we children of the common folk serving as soldiers are here to help. Don’t worry. Look, what’s this?”
He untied a bag from his back and handed it to the bun shop owner.
As soon as the owner took the bag, he smelled the aroma of flour. He guessed roughly what it was, and sure enough, upon opening it, he found half a bag filled with flour.
Shi Jian said, “Help us turn this flour into buns. I’ll pay you three coins for each bun’s labor. How about that?”
The owner was overjoyed. “Yes! Of course, Military Gentleman! You truly are a good man!”
Shi Jian smiled. “This is our duty. Soldiers should protect the country and help the common people. Isn’t that right?”
His last words were directed at the soldiers behind him.
Of course, they couldn’t refuse their Golden Daddy’s prompting. They hurriedly chanted, “Yes!”
Shi Jian and White Cat exchanged a glance, inwardly pleased. Our ideological education of the soldiers was pretty successful this time. Surely the Deity will reward us handsomely later!
Unfortunately, they had no idea Li Daoxuan was throwing a tantrum outside the box. “Hancheng’s Special Sesame Buns — you get to eat them, but I don’t. Just wait and see how I deal with you later.”
Soon, Shi Jian, White Cat, and the large group of soldiers were all munching on sesame buns. Commander Ma chewed noisily while muttering, “Ah, fragrant… really fragrant… Damn it, with the court dragging its feet on pay these past few years, I’ve barely had a decent meal. Thanks to Captain Shi and Captain Wang, I’ve finally been living like a human these past few days.”
If he hadn’t mentioned “Captain Wang,” it would have been fine. But the moment he said those three words, Shi Jian couldn’t help turning to White Cat with a grin. “Wang Xiaohua!”
Hearing his real name, White Cat instantly bristled like a cat entering combat mode, his fur practically standing on end. “Damn it! How many times have I told you! Don’t call me by my real name! Call me—!”
He almost blurted out “Call me White Cat!” But he caught himself just in time, realizing the bandit name absolutely couldn’t be mentioned among the soldiers. Forcing it back down, he nearly choked on his anger.
Shi Jian roared with triumphant laughter.
The soldiers nearby joined in the laughter. They were all chuckling cheerfully when suddenly, a private rushed down the street towards them, shouting, “Captains! Emergency deployment! Back to camp immediately!”
The announcement stunned them. Emergency deployment?
Li Daoxuan also found it strange. Huh? What are they doing? Bandit suppression?
Munching his beef pancake, he watched as Shi Jian, White Cat, and the others, holding their sesame buns, ran towards the military camp. Inside, General Wang Chengen of Shaanxi was already fully armored and sitting sternly. Officers and soldiers rushed frantically around the camp, struggling to organize the troops.
Shi Jian and White Cat commanded no actual troops in their nominal posts, so they had nothing to do. They simply stood beside Wang Chengen, next to his personal guards.
Soon, the troops were organized.
General Wang Chengen of Shaanxi had 1,500 elite troops fully assembled. Surprisingly, 3,500 miscellaneous garrison soldiers resembling minnows also arrived. Combined, the force numbered five thousand men—a rather imposing sight.
Li Daoxuan looked down from the sky. He’d seen thousands of rebel bandits before, but this was his first time seeing such a large force of official troops. The difference in quality between government soldiers and rebels was truly vast. While those 3,500 garrison soldiers were indeed cannon fodder, they at least wore some cloth armor.
The front 1,500 elites were truly disciplined. Their armor and uniforms were bright, and their weapons were complete.
Cavalry, firearm soldiers, sword-and-shield soldiers, spear soldiers… the composition was diverse, with all kinds of equipment readily available.
Li Daoxuan thought, It seems this won’t be a small battle.
Seeing everyone assembled, Wang Chengen roared loudly, “The bandit chief Wang Jiayin, this great traitor, has insolently proclaimed himself king, established offices, and shown utter contempt for His Majesty! His crimes warrant execution…”
Li Daoxuan mused, “Oh? They’re going after Wang Jiayin.”
Wang Chengen continued, “The Ministry of War has appointed Du Wenhuan as the Great General, with deputy Cao Wenzhao assisting the campaign as vice commander. They will lead the troops of Jin, Shaan, Lin, and Ning provinces to surround Hequ and exterminate the rebel Wang Jiayin! You shall depart immediately with this general, cross the Yellow River, and enter Shanxi!”
Hearing this, Li Daoxuan couldn’t help but shake his head. You see? The saying goes, ‘the loudest bird gets shot.’ The court’s attitude towards the rebels has always oscillated between suppression and appeasement. But you absolutely cannot declare yourself king. Once you do, the court gets serious. This was no joke.