The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1278 I Have a Road in Liaodong!
Shuntian Prefecture, Beijing Garrison

Compared to the Five Armies Camps, which needed to be stationed in cities surrounding the capital, the Divine Pivot Camp and the Divine Machine Camp were more similar in location.
However, compared to special forces equipped with artillery, the Shen Shu Battalion is somewhat lacking, equivalent to only the fourth ring!

On his first inspection of the Divine Pivot Camp, Zhang Cheng entered surrounded by Krieg.

Looking at the situation inside the camp, Zhang Cheng took the lead and entered the command tent to announce the assembly.
As a man who had been granted a title for his military achievements and was also a member of the Jia family, Zhang Cheng did not encounter any tactless people, because if someone was tactless, they wouldn't be able to stay in the Beijing garrison!

Looking at the deputy commander-in-chief and the guerrilla general in front of him, Zhang Cheng said, "I'm sure you all know me. My name is Jia Jue, from the twelfth branch of the Jia family in Jinling! I just crippled Wang Zisheng a couple of days ago and was temporarily demoted to acting commander of the Divine Pivot Battalion, but that's not important. Starting today, the Divine Pivot Battalion will resume training! I've finished speaking. Who agrees and who disagrees?"

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, the officers present were quite embarrassed and said, "Commander-in-Chief, if we start training, our camp will run out of food and supplies!"

Sitting in the chair above, Zhang Cheng banged on the table and said, "No food? How much silver do you get for drinking soldiers' blood? Do you even make a few thousand taels a year?"

Presenting the reality to everyone, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but question, "Those poor wretches only earn less than half a tael of silver a month! You take 30% here, and you deduct from the grain supplies there. The fact that we haven't killed you for rebelling means that the soldiers are already living under the emperor's nose and receiving imperial favor for generations!"

With a twitching smile, everyone present looked at Zhang Cheng and guiltily turned their heads away.
Because Zhang Cheng was telling the truth; these days, even the Beijing garrison isn't easy to get by!
"I have a road in Liaodong. It's risky, but the profits are high. As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. If you're interested, sign your names here, and I guarantee you'll earn no less than 30,000 taels of silver every year!"

With a broad smile and squinting eyes, Zhang Cheng sized up the crowd.

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, the officers present all became wary and asked, "General, is your business in Liaodong related to salt and iron?"

"Damn it, what do you take me for? I just killed seven of Nurhaci's sons, including Crown Prince Chuying. Do you think he would dare to do business with me?"

Looking at the crowd before him, Zhang Cheng laughed.

"If it's not salt or iron, then what is it?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with suspicion, the deputy commander beside him became curious.

Because as long as it's not salt or iron, that's fine; that would be considered treason, a crime punishable by death for nine generations of one's family.

"The Liaodong military garrison has a sea route leading to the three islands of the Japanese invaders; they're doing business with no initial investment."

With a calm expression, Zhang Cheng slammed the pledge of loyalty onto the table and said, "Gentlemen, the door to wealth and honor has been opened. If you are unwilling, you may leave on your own. But if even a single word is leaked and the higher-ups find out, I cannot guarantee what will happen. After all, the generals and soldiers of Liaodong are mercenaries, not people."

"I'll wait for the signature!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, the deputy commander beside him quickly wrote down his name and gave him a thumbs up.

Compared to salt and iron, what's offending those maritime merchants from Jiangnan? Didn't you see how the Liaodong military towns just "robbed" them?
Moreover, Zhang Cheng has made it very clear: if you don't sign, you'd better make sure no one leaks this information when you leave. But if any trouble arises, the Liaodong military town won't care about our past friendship!

Besides, everyone else has signed, but you won't. What are you trying to do, you silly goose?
A person can be selfless and altruistic, but they will never sacrifice their own interests for the sake of others, because if they did that, the people around them would no longer regard them as human beings!
A few minutes later, after all the officers of the Divine Pivot Battalion had signed their names, Zhang Cheng waved his hand and said, "Come in!"

"Crash!"

They appeared from outside carrying a box, which the Kriegs placed on the ground, immediately pressing down on the wooden planks with a creaking sound.

Stunned by the scene, Zhang Cheng kicked open a box and said, "Take it and distribute it. Starting tomorrow, the Divine Pivot Battalion will become a fighting force!"

The officers of the Shenshu Camp were stunned as they stared at the gold scattered all over the ground. If all three boxes were gold, how much money would that be? At least 300,000 taels of silver!
The Shenshu Camp has a total of 30,000 soldiers from top to bottom, and everyone gets a share of this silver!

Even if the higher-ranking officers take a larger share, at least their subordinates won't have to exploit their soldiers or receive salaries for nothing! "Thank you, Commander!"

They bowed in unison, their faces solemn and filled with loyalty.
"Alright, that's enough! I am a member of the Jia family, so naturally I will not mistreat you all!"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng began to explain.
After they had all left, Cao Wenzhao spoke up, "General, isn't what we're doing a bit inappropriate?"

"Money is only truly yours once you have it in your hand. Do you think anyone involved here is clean?"

Looking at Cao Wenzhao, Zhang Cheng asked,

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Cao Wenzhao fell silent.
Looking at his uncle's expression, Cao Bianjiao said with a serious face, "But how are we any different from those treacherous officials if we do this?"

"The world isn't black and white, Bianjiao. You need to understand that adults don't care about right or wrong, they only care about benefits and losses. It's better for me to feed them than for them to exploit the soldiers!"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng began to explain.
Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Cao Bianjiao immediately said bitterly, "General, I know you are doing this for the good of the soldiers, but..."

"Don't worry, I have a silver mountain on the Japanese island, enough to guarantee wealth for hundreds of years!"

He laughed loudly as he spoke, and Zhang Cheng couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Cao Bianjiao and Cao Wenzhao were dumbfounded. No wonder their commander was so rich; it turned out he really did own a mine!

As for Zhang Cheng not mentioning handing it over to the imperial court, the two of them naturally wouldn't say anything more, since the mine was located on the three islands of Japan, how could the imperial court take it over?
The retired emperor: What do you have? Mines?

Emperor Hongde: Send out troops! Send out troops! Send out troops immediately!
Returning to the capital from outside the city, Zhang Cheng sat in the carriage, contemplating his next move.

But just then, the carriage stopped.
Lifting the curtain, Zhang Cheng looked out the window and asked, "What happened?"

"Uncle, there seems to be a woman ahead whose car wheel has broken!"

As Jia Wei stepped forward to explain to Zhang Cheng, she began to speak.
"Go and see which family it is. If it's the Wang family, throw the whole carriage and everyone else into the ditch!"

When he spoke to Jia Wei, Zhang Cheng frowned.
Leading a group of fierce and brave Kriegs forward, Jia Wei couldn't help but ask, "May I ask which family you belong to? We are from the Marquis of Zhongwu's mansion. Do you need any help?"

"General, my master is Qin Ye, the Construction Officer of the Ministry of Works."

Just after Ruizhu finished speaking, Jia Wei immediately said, "So it's the Yingshan Lang's family. Brothers, lend a hand!"

After asking for help, Jia Wei ran forward and said, "Uncle, he's not from the Wang family, he's a construction worker from the Ministry of Works."

"The Ministry of Works' Construction Officer, isn't that Qin Ye's son? Hmm?"

With his eyes wide open, Zhang Cheng quickly got off the carriage: "Quick, quick, let that young lady get into my carriage, I'll walk!"

"what?"

Staring at Zhang Cheng in shock, Jia Wei immediately thought of the words: "Unsolicited kindness is either a trap or a theft!"
As someone who could remove even three layers of heavy armor on the battlefield, Zhang Cheng would deliberately befriend a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Works. Jia Wei felt there must be something fishy about this!

(End of this chapter)