weaving

Inside the main hall of the Suizhou Prefecture government office in the southern part of Suizhou, although the Earl of Yongning was asking for everyone's opinions, Yuan Shu knew perfectly well that the main question was actually about his attitude.

He had already guessed this outcome, but he didn't expect it to come so quickly.

Just yesterday at the banquet, when the Earl of Yongning expressed his desire to place the six county garrison commanders under his command, Yuan Shu already sensed that things were not so simple.

Moreover, the Earl of Yongning reminded him to broaden his horizons and not just focus on the small area of ​​Suizhou, but to have a broader perspective, including the entire Guide Prefecture and even the entire Central Plains.

Now that I think about it, it seems that the Earl of Yongning had this idea all along. I couldn't figure out the Earl of Yongning's thoughts before, but now that I think about it carefully, it has become clear.

The Earl of Yongning simply wanted to show his favor to Luo Rucai, and also take this opportunity to curry favor with Luo Rucai himself, so as to ensure harmony between the government and the military in Guide Prefecture in the future, with military and political affairs clearly separated, so that they would not interfere with each other and could cooperate with each other.

"What painstaking effort! What a painstaking effort!" Yuan Shu thought to himself in admiration.

He sat up straight, clasped his hands in a fist and said, “Commander, Yuan Shu has a request, and I hope you will grant it.”

“Yuan Shoudao, please speak freely. As long as it is reasonable, I will grant your request.”

Yuan Shu glanced at Luo Rucai opposite him before speaking: "The Commander-in-Chief often taught Yuan Shu to have a broad vision. Now that the troubles of bandits in the Central Plains have just subsided, Guide is located southeast of Kaifeng and has the responsibility to isolate the bandits from the enemy."

"Shangqiu has only recently been liberated, and no prefect has yet taken office to govern the people and promote agriculture. I, Yuan Shu, though unworthy, request to be appointed as Right Vice Minister and sent to Shangqiu to assume the duties of the Daliang Circuit. I humbly request the Governor's approval."

Upon hearing his words, Luo Rucai felt a surge of joy, but he forced himself to remain calm and feigned a hint of difficulty, asking, "If Lord Yuan goes to Shangqiu to take charge of the overall situation, what will happen to Suizhou?"

Before the Earl of Yongning could speak, Yuan Shu replied, "When I went to Shangqiu, my main focus was on governing the people and managing the government. I also had to guard against the westward flight of the rebels. I really didn't have much energy to deal with the affairs of Suizhou."

"I urge Commander Luo to take this matter very seriously. The military settlements, local administration, troop training, and all military duties related to the defense of Kaifeng in Suizhou will be entrusted to your shoulders."

Luo Rucai had been waiting for these words, but since the Marquis of Yongning had not yet spoken, he dared not show his inner elation. He could only patiently say, "Well... well... I'm good at fighting, but as for military settlements... and government affairs... I'm really afraid I won't be able to handle them well."

The Earl of Yongning was waiting for Luo Rucai's words. He smiled and said, "General Luo, you don't need to be so modest. Although Suizhou Guard is located in the Central Plains, it is not impossible that it could be converted from a nominal to a real garrison for the purpose of preventing bandits. The entire territory of Suizhou could be temporarily converted into a physical garrison."

As for the matters of military settlements, household registration, and land reclamation, as well as the corresponding affairs of handling civil disputes and lawsuits, I will not make things difficult for you and will send students from the Xuanfu Political Academy to supplement them.

However, the military affairs of Suizhou Garrison, including garrison duties and drills, will all fall on your shoulders, Commander Luo. I hope you will prioritize national affairs and not shirk your responsibility.

The words of the Earl of Yongning were quite explosive for Luo Rucai. He not only gave Luo Rucai power to take full charge of the military and political affairs of Suizhou, but also asked him to select and send personnel from Xuanfu to manage the military settlements.

This is tantamount to putting a bridle on Luo Rucai, this tiger!
Although he still possessed sharp teeth, he dared not bite people indiscriminately as before. Moreover, this bridle was personally requested by Luo Rucai, so now he had no reason or excuse to cheat.

Faced with the question from the Earl of Yongning, Luo Rucai could only bite the bullet and reply, "The Commander-in-Chief has considered everything thoroughly; I dare not disobey!"

"Alright. In that case... Suizhou will be handed over to Commander Luo."

After saying this, the Earl of Yongning turned to Yuan Shu and said, "I am very pleased that Yuan Shoudao has stepped forward and taken on this important task. However, Shangqiu is in ruins and the city walls have not yet been repaired, so the defense is particularly important. Therefore, I have transferred Wang Yanbin and Ning Zhen to Shangqiu to garrison them with full authority, so as to strengthen the defense of Shangqiu."

When the Earl of Yongning said these words, he looked at Wang Yanbin and Ning Zhen, who were sitting at the lower seat, and said in a deep voice, "Wang Yanbin, Ning Zhen."

As soon as the words were spoken, Wang Yanbin and Ning Zhen, who had been called out, immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee in the middle of the hall, clasped their hands and reported, "Your subordinates are here."

The Earl of Yongning looked at the two of them and said in a deep voice, "After you return to your post, immediately organize your troops and set off for Shangqiu in three days to make preliminary defenses."

"Yes, sir." After loudly accepting the order, the two of them quickly got up and returned.

The Earl of Yongning looked at Yuan Shu and continued, "Yuan Shu, you can stay in Suizhou for the time being. First, hand over the local government affairs to Commander Luo and Mr. Ji. After ten days, you can set off for Shangqiu."

"Yes. I will obey the Commander's orders."

"Yuan Shu, you will temporarily go to Shangqiu with the title of Right Vice Minister of Henan Provincial Administration Commission and concurrently serve as the Military Commissioner of Daliang, to preside over the affairs of Guide Prefecture. Today, I will write to the court to recommend you to serve as the Prefect of Guide and concurrently serve as the Military Commissioner of Daliang, so that you can mobilize the officers and soldiers of Guide."

"Yes."

In fact, where are there any government troops left in Guide Prefecture?
The area within Guide Prefecture is now filled with Cao Cao's bandits and local outlaws who have been incorporated by the Earl of Yongning. Even they have only recently changed their identities, and whether they are effective remains to be seen.

Yuan Shu understood all of this better than anyone else.

However, Suizhou was his birthplace, and he was also constrained by his father's reputation, so he had no choice but to accept the recommendation of the Earl of Yongning and take up the difficult post of Right Assistant Administrator of Henan Provincial Administration Commission, in charge of the Daliang Road.

Now, Yuan Shu has been put in a precarious position by the Earl of Yongning, and the road ahead is even more dangerous and unpredictable. However, he is being forced into this situation step by step, and has no choice but to go to Shangqiu to take charge of the military and political affairs of Guide Prefecture.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he's "all alone"!

The two thousand soldiers that the Earl of Yongning promised Yuan Shu are still nowhere to be seen, and he has few men at his disposal. Yet he has to face tens of thousands of bandit troops who have just surrendered. The difficulty of this situation is unimaginable.

“Yuan Shu, the standard battalion I promised you needs to recruit and train soldiers, which will take time and cannot be accomplished overnight. However, you cannot go to Shangqiu alone.”

The Earl of Yongning also showed a hint of difficulty. After a moment, he said, "How about this... I will transfer a commander to you from the army and allocate five hundred soldiers to you."

In addition, you may also recruit one thousand men from good families among your relatives in Suizhou. Each selected man will be given ten taels of silver as a resettlement allowance to supplement the troop strength of the standard garrison.

Before Yuan Shu could respond, the Earl of Yongning turned to Luo Rucai and said, "Commander Luo, of the soldiers you've weeded out of Cao Cao's camp, allow me to select five hundred to supplement Prefect Yuan's battalion. What do you say?"

Luo Rucai was secretly pleased that he had finally become the lord of Suizhou when he suddenly heard the Earl of Yongning ask such a question. He blurted out, "Good, good, I will personally select five hundred warriors for Lord Yuan."

He added, "Five hundred isn't enough, a thousand will do!" (End of Chapter)