Chapter 42: I truly didn't expect it; I really underestimated Magistrate Sun

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Luyang Prefecture Martial Guard Yamen currently has over three hundred men, making it a powerful institution within the prefecture.

In reality, the true foundation still lay with those thirty or forty veteran soldiers from years past.

What Sergeant Qian Mu truly trusted were his old subordinates, like Zhang Yuan and Qi Junliang.

According to Qian Mu, because Luyang Prefecture had become increasingly prosperous recently, many people within the commandery prefecture had set their sights on this place.

Qian Mu had no significant background; his position as a seventh-rank Sergeant, which others previously looked down upon, had now become a highly coveted post.

A while ago, someone from the prefectural government had already dropped a hint to him that he would be transferred to the commandery prefecture's Martial Guard Yamen to serve as a sixth-rank Inspector of Troops.

A promotion in rank, but a demotion in influence.

On the surface, it looked like a half-rank promotion, but in truth, moving to the commandery prefecture to be a minor sixth-rank official with no troops and no power was nowhere near as satisfying as commanding hundreds of soldiers in Luyang Prefecture.

"Erhe, before I leave, finalize the expansion plans and promote you to Acting Captain to lead the unit."

"Hu Yang has wanted to retire for a long time. Once he retires and his son takes over, you can serve as Captain for a few years to stabilize the men's morale."

The Sergeant rode his warhorse forward, his gaze falling upon the ranks of soldiers ahead, his expression softening slightly.

"I will only feel at ease leaving these fellows to you."

Beside him, Qi Junliang nodded with a solemn expression, showing not the slightest hint of jealousy regarding the Sergeant's intention to promote Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan's cultivation and combat strength were far superior to his own, and he had accumulated an immense amount of military merit.

Most importantly, the legendary loyalty of "Loyal Zhang Erhe" was not just for show; Zhang Yuan was truly devoted to his brothers.

The old comrades in the Yamen all knew clearly that whenever there was a mission, Zhang Yuan would inevitably charge to the front, but when it came time to claim military honors, he would step back.

For instance, this time, if Zhang Yuan hadn't yielded the first wooden boat, Qi Junliang's squad would not have earned so much military merit.

Such occurrences had happened countless times over the past five years.

"I will do my best," Zhang Yuan nodded, and this time, he did not refuse.

In the past, while Qian Mu was Sergeant and Hu Yang commanded their squad, with Chen Wu and Huang Sanliang around, the Martial Guard Yamen's numbers were growing, but the foundation remained solid.

Now, if Qian Mu left, Hu Yang retired, and Chen Wu was transferred, if an outsider with no roots came to take command, the morale would truly scatter.

Those who went through the trouble of coming to Luyang Prefecture to serve as officials would not tolerate these Martial Guards.

Those people would gladly trade the lives of their brothers for military merit.

Hearing Zhang Yuan's agreement, a smile appeared on Qian Mu's face.

————————————

From leaving Luyang Prefecture to suppressing bandits in Yong'an County, and finally returning to the Martial Guard Yamen, a total of four and a half days had passed.

When the soldiers returned to the Yamen, they were not immediately dismissed but instead lined up in front of the gates.

The remains of the three fallen comrades had been brought back, and their families and parents had already been notified.

"Shall we say, 'Why have no clothes? We share the same robes'—"

All the Martial Guards clenched their fists and raised their hands, shouting the military signal to bid farewell to their fallen brothers.

Sergeant Qian Mu, with a heavy expression, personally delivered the pensions and military merit vouchers to the families of the deceased.

These pensions were enough to sustain their families.

It wasn't just for the three fallen comrades; for others who were seriously injured and could no longer serve as Martial Guards, their families would arrange for their clan members to take over their positions.

It was precisely because countless Great Qin soldiers guarded the land for generations that the common people enjoyed peace.

In the eyes of the strong, these soldiers might be mere ants, but in the eyes of their comrades, they were brothers to whom one could entrust their life.

After seeing off the fallen, all weapons and armor were inspected and returned to the armory.

Then, they went to the military merit registration and exchange office to have the clerks record and exchange their merits; only then was the mission truly concluded.

Afterward, the Yamen would compile a register of the entire mission process, including losses, military merits, and pensions, to be submitted to the prefectural government for archiving.

Huang Sanliang exchanged his third-level military merit for fifteen taels of silver. As he walked out of the Yamen, a look of joy appeared on his face.

With these fifteen taels, his family wouldn't have to worry about expenses for two years.

Chen Wu only exchanged five taels of silver, keeping two levels of military merit in reserve.

He only had an elderly mother at home, and his daily expenses were not high.

As for the new recruits like Feng Cheng, those with exchangeable merit converted it all into silver to hold in their hands, each looking quite pleased.

Zhang Yuan exchanged his merit for twenty taels of silver, then called Feng Cheng over and told him to take fifteen taels to the homes of the three fallen comrades.

"Brother Yuan, this..." Feng Cheng hesitated and whispered, "Then, then I'll bring out my own money as well—"

Zhang Yuan waved his hand and patted his shoulder. "There is no need. I don't need the money right now, but you are different."

Zhang Yuan then pulled out an ingot of two taels of silver and pressed it into Feng Cheng's hand. "After a great battle, you should relax when it's time to relax."

Pausing, Zhang Yuan added, "Remember to call Chen Wu along."

...

By the time Zhang Yuan left the Martial Guard Yamen, it was already sunset.

He did not return to Ding Family Alley, but instead headed toward the Academy.

"Deploying two squads of Martial Guards to suppress bandits—this is a rare case in the last two years. How was the battle?" Seeing Zhang Yuan, Young Master Tao asked.

Although the Martial Guard Yamen now had over three hundred soldiers, the prefectural officials all knew that most were new recruits, and their combat strength could not compare to the veterans.

While there had been expansions over the last two years, the Martial Guards had not truly been deployed much, mostly handling patrol duties.

This deployment of two squads for bandit suppression was the most significant use of the Martial Guards in recent years.

Zhang Yuan gave a rough account of the bandit suppression, omitting only the effect the Sarira had on him.

These matters were his own secrets and would not be told to anyone.

"Yang Yaozu's design in this step was quite good. By going to Jiulin County to seek refuge with the Zhao family, it makes Zhao Changchun's identity as 'Black Tiger' even more convincing," Young Master Tao said with a smile. "This wasn't your usual style."

"In the past, whenever you encountered bandits, you would slaughter them all."

The reason Zhang Yuan spared Yang Yaozu was twofold: first, Yang Yaozu had been relatively honest and had not hidden anything from Zhang Yuan; second, after avenging his mountain stronghold's people, he had very decisively left himself at Zhang Yuan's mercy.

Zhang Yuan had also read the files on the bandits of Guangji River provided by Young Master Tao, and noted that Yang Yaozu and the Guangyuan Stronghold had not committed many atrocities. This was another reason Zhang Yuan spared him.

Young Master Tao had already had the Black Ice Platform design a plan to shift the identity of "Black Tiger" onto Zhao Changchun.

Now, with Yang Yaozu's involvement, the rumors in the martial world regarding Black Tiger's identity would lean even more heavily toward Zhao Changchun.

"Regarding the Sarira, I will have the Black Ice Platform investigate further," Young Master Tao said in a low voice, his smile fading. "Whether it is the origin or the destination of such a treasure, it must be investigated thoroughly."

How could a Sarira be within the borders of Great Qin, and who intended to take it away—all must be cleared up.

For many years, Liang Yuanyu had never relaxed his quiet invasion of Great Qin.

Those Buddhist practitioners possessed an unimaginable fanaticism for spreading Buddhist teachings and gathering followers.

"This mission for the Martial Guard Yamen came strangely; there is likely someone pushing it from behind."

"Either someone is lacking in achievements, or someone wants to test the strength of the Martial Guard Yamen."

Qian Mu's impending transfer was likely to make way for certain people in the commandery prefecture.

"Wang Qinian should be able to find some information. I'll invite him for tea tonight." Standing up, Young Master Tao saw Zhang Yuan staring at him and gave a light cough. "Truly just tea."

...

The next day, when Zhang Yuan arrived at the Academy again, Young Master Tao took out a scroll of paper and handed it to him.

As Zhang Yuan unfurled the scroll, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

"I truly didn't expect it; I really underestimated this County Magistrate Sun."

(End of Chapter)