Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 87 I am not illiterate!
In the large room, people were toasting each other, everyone had a smile on their face, and everyone was happy in their hearts. After taking another drink, they were even happier.

Su Wu looked around and felt relieved. The basic team had already been formed. With such a group of people, Su Wu felt confident no matter where they went to fight.

Su Wu was very proactive in drinking today. Even though he couldn't drink as much as Lu Da and others, he was still very good at it. It didn't matter if he was unconscious.

We also talked about business at the dinner table. The iron and the craftsmen had arrived, so we had to find a place to set up a workshop and start a furnace.

There was not enough room in the military camp, and there probably wasn't a place to move around in the city either, so we had to find a place outside the city.

This place had to be big, because Su Wu never thought of it as a one-time deal. The craftsmen had to stay, the workshop had to remain open, and even before long, production had to be expanded.

It's nothing more than a matter of money. Su Wu has a certain plan for the manpower he has, which is to gather the more than 2,000 soldiers in Dongping Prefecture. No matter they are apprentices, odd jobs, or transporters, they all have a job.

The food and wages of these people cannot be truly eliminated, since they are the livelihood of the entire family. The point is to change their jobs and then pay them the full amount of food and wages that were previously underpaid. In this way, most people should not be unwilling.

Of course, these are all things that need to be arranged slowly in the next step.

In fact, when the imperial court's military rations reached the prefectures, they were not deducted much. In other words, the annual rations were not small.

If the staff is based on 5,000 people, the annual salary would be around 90,000 strings of cash. As for the cost of maintaining the staff, Su Wu himself does not need to make too much for the time being, 12,000 strings of cash a year will be enough.

This refers to his salary. Su Wu was also willing to spend money on food and other necessities. The exact amount is unknown, but it is estimated to be around 10,000 or 20,000 strings of cash.

The main focus is on raising horses, as well as military equipment and armor.

Five or six hundred good horses must be carefully fed, bred and cared for, which would cost at least 50,000 strings of cash a year.

To make a good set of armor, you have to buy the iron and hire workers yourself. The cost price would probably be around 40 or 50 strings of cash.

After calculating this set of accounts, it was likely that the 115,000 strings of cash in Su Wu's hands would soon run out. Fortunately, most of them were early investments, and the time to spend big money had not come yet, so he could barely hold on.

But we also need to find some new ways as soon as possible.

As soon as they finished their meal and drank, they staggered out of the door, and Lu Junyi also moved into the military camp with everyone else.

Madam Meng did not come out to see them off. She waited until everyone had left before she stood at the door and looked out.

It was Dong Huan who said, "I don't know when the eunuch will come next time..."

Madam Meng only replied: "Of course I am busy..."

Dong Huan also asked: "How come the supervisor didn't send anyone to look into this kind of business? There has to be a settlement, right?"

Madam Meng shook her head: "Last time, when he paid the bill for the herbal medicine store, he didn't even bother to look at it or ask about it. He certainly wasn't afraid that I would lie to him..."

"Oh..." Dong Huan nodded again.

But Lady Meng suddenly looked at Dong Huan and said, "Come to think of it... aren't you from the Dujian family?"

"Me?" Dong Huan was stunned when he heard that.

"If you can't read, you have to learn. If you don't know how to count, you have to learn even more. Fortunately, you are young and eager to learn."

Obviously Dong Huan's words reminded Meng Yulou of something.

"I'm the cook bought by the governor. I'm learning how to cook. Do I really need to learn how to read and do math?" Dong Huan asked timidly, not feeling confident.

"You have to learn! I will hire a teacher to teach you." Meng Yulou made up his mind.

"Oh..." Dong Huan was not confident, and asked again: "Sir, please give me a lot of money..."

"This is not something you should worry about. Since there is no one in the governor's family, you are number one. You belong to the governor's family, so you have to learn..."

Meng Yulou's words were to give Dong Huan confidence.

Dong Huan neither nodded nor lowered his head, but his eyes seemed to have some spirit, but they were unfocused. Perhaps he was thinking about something in his mind, just looking at the backs of the supervisor and his group walking away in the distance.

Meng Yulou then muttered to herself again: "It's time to buy a small house in the city. Zong Tie will come over in a few days..."

But suddenly a strong young man from the group that had already gone far away ran back and ran straight to Meng Yulou. He bowed and said, "The supervisor remembered something and asked me to inform Madam Meng."

Meng Yulou immediately smiled: "What's the matter?"

"Oh, the army needs to buy several thousand sets of cloth clothes and Fanyang hats, and red scarves to tie around the necks, which are worn by soldiers. Just ask Madam Meng to buy them. The price is negotiable...but it needs to be done quickly, the sooner the better."

"Yes, I understand. It will definitely come quickly." Meng Yulou nodded immediately, but then asked, "What's your name, young man?"

"My name is Li Cheng."

"Come..." Meng Yulou waved his hand and took out a string of money from his sleeve.

Li Cheng didn't understand, and really went forward, but saw Meng Yulou handing him a string of money. He immediately stepped back and said, "I...no, no, I don't want it..."

Meng Yulou waved again: "It's okay, come closer, it's just some small money..."

Li Cheng didn't even come forward, he just waved his hand and stepped back: "I'm leaving, I'm leaving... I have money, the governor has never treated me badly..."

Just look at Li Cheng running away.

Dong Huan was still laughing because she knew Li Cheng.

Meng Yulou looked at Li Cheng's panicked look and smiled, asking, "Do you know him?"

Dong Huan nodded: "Yes, I know him. He is a hunter in the mountains. He is a simple and kind person. He doesn't understand these things..."

"What a good boy..." Meng Yulou nodded and looked at Dong Huan.

Maybe it was Dong Huan who remembered that night in Yanggu County when someone was killed at home. The supervisor and General Wu killed five people in a row in the yard, and it was this young man who was by her side comforting her.

"I heard that he is now the head of the police department." Dong Huan said.

"Really?" Meng Yulou laughed even more.

Dong Huan lowered his head...

Meng Yulou observed his expression and said, "Yes, he is already the head of the army, so you should learn calligraphy."

"Ah?" Dong Huan was confused at this moment.

Meng Yulou just smiled and turned away, seeming to be in a much better mood. Suddenly, he was also stunned. Eh? Thousands of sets, how many thousands of sets are they? Three thousand or eight thousand? There must be a real number, right?

I guess the eunuch was drunk and just gave the order casually, and he himself hadn't thought about how many thousands of sets it would be...

Let's ask the cloth shop to do it first...

Why are you in such a hurry to make military uniforms?

Because Su Wu was going to hold a ceremony to fool the prefect, and the prefect was also contributing money and effort, so he should also let the prefect see the results of his efforts.

Su Wu still has this little trick up his sleeve, and he must manage the prefect well.

Just wait a few more days.

The military camp is very lively today.

Su Wu just went to the yamen to ask for the leader's help.

Cheng Wanli was also in high spirits. He was wearing a bright red official robe and a square official hat with two long hat wings that swayed from side to side.

The jade belt and rings around his waist and the official boots on his feet were all spotless.

When Su Wu got on the carriage and rode out, the prefect also opened the window and asked, "Are you guys ready?"

Su Wu nodded repeatedly: "My men knew that my husband would come to review the army today, and they were all howling like wolves and tigers, saying that they must not lose face for my husband and must make him look good!"

"Okay, okay, okay, okay!" The prefect nodded repeatedly, his face full of smiles and a bit of anticipation.

He just went to the military camp and got off the car. The prefect looked up.

There was white paper pasted on the red cloth, with black words written on the white paper.

We respectfully welcome the prefect to come and review our work.

"Hmm!" The prefect nodded: "Not bad, not bad, this big character is written with some charm."

"Zhang Zhen, the bailiff, wrote this, and it does have some skill, but it's not as good as yours. How is it different? Look, my dear, it's not as vigorous and powerful as yours!"

Su Wu also learned to ask and answer his own questions.

Cheng Wanli laughed and asked, "Have you studied my calligraphy?"

"How can I not read the official documents? My husband was famous outside Donghua Gate in the past, so how can he be an ordinary person?"

"Haha... Hey, that happened more than ten years ago, it's nothing... Come on, go in." Cheng Wanli held the wide jade belt around his waist with both hands, walked forward, raised his head slightly, and looked around.

Just look at the parade ground, there are rows and rows of people, all neat and square.

The military uniform was neat, the chest scarf was bright, and even the Fan Yang hat was worn neatly.

The soldiers were even more majestic and powerful. They didn't move at all and their eyes didn't look around.

"Okay, okay!" Cheng Wanli already walked like a dragon and a tiger.

Further ahead, the armor was shining with tung oil, and the weapons were polished to a dazzling luster.

"Excellent, excellent!"

Going further ahead, the horses were all in neat order, their hooves moving slightly, but still in order, and the knights on horseback sat straight, standing upright with spears in hand.

"That's great..." Cheng Wanli stopped smiling and was inexplicably moved. He also asked Su Wu, "Have you put on the 200 sets of armor sent by the Privy Council?"

"They are all put on and are at the front." Su Wu replied immediately.

"Well, good. The armor from the Tokyo Armor Warehouse is not just ordinary armor. It is top-quality. The emperor's ceremonial guards are no better than this. They must be worn by the most elite soldiers."

"Sir, what you said makes sense. I will definitely do as you say." Su Wu nodded.

How could Mr. Cheng not understand military affairs? His guidance work was extremely... professional!
Go up to the general's stage and look down at the whole place. There are more than 2,000 people. Let's not talk about how they have practiced, just look at the posture, the momentum, and the atmosphere.

Who dares to say that Mr. Cheng doesn’t understand military affairs?

How could such strong soldiers be trained if it weren't for Mr. Cheng's dedication?

Just ask the prefectures of Shandong and Hebei, which prefecture governor can attach so much importance to military work?
Mr. Cheng was very pleased, really very pleased, and even more touched...

"Sir, you should say a few words to the boys..." Su Wu reminded from the side.

"Ahem!" Cheng Xianggong swallowed his saliva and waved his right hand left and right. "My boys, Cao Zijian's "White Horse" says, "He can catch flying monkeys with his hands and scatter horse hooves with his body. He is more cunning than monkeys and apes, and more brave than leopards and dragons. There are many emergency situations in the border towns, and the Hu cavalry have moved several times. Feathered dispatches come from the north, and the fierce horses climb the high embankment. He drives straight into the Xiongnu and looks left to the Xianbei. He abandons himself to the edge of a sharp blade, how can he take care of his life? He doesn't care about his parents, how can he care about his children and wife! His name is listed as a warrior, and he cannot care about his own interests. He sacrifices himself for the country, and regards death as returning home!"

When Mr. Cheng got to this point, he paused. This was not an endorsement. It was a rhythmic and powerful speech that inspired the soldiers to serve the country, make contributions, and face death with courage!
The whole place...somewhat stunned...

Su Wu shouted, "Good!"

The three armies immediately came to their senses and shouted in unison: "Good! Good! Good!"

Mr. Cheng nodded slightly, his eyes were firm, he raised his hand slightly and pressed it, and continued: "My boys, it is just as Wang Jiangning said in a poem in the past..."

"Sir, this... should be about suppressing the bandits." Su Wu gave another hint.

Mr. Cheng nodded, "Yes, thieves! They don't work, don't like to work, and only like to plunder. They must be eliminated! Otherwise, how can good people survive? You are all good people. Which family doesn't work hard to make a living? In Dongping Prefecture, there are thieves, big thieves. Only by eliminating big thieves can we live in peace and have great achievements! This prefecture will not say much, and those who have made contributions will naturally be rewarded!"

After hearing this, Su Wu nodded repeatedly, "Husband, you can speak!"
This time there was no need for Su Wu to shout, just thunderous applause from the whole audience.

"mighty!"

"mighty!"

Cheng Xianggong raised his hand and said, "Superintendent Su will also say a few words."

Su Wu cupped his hands and stepped forward: "Well... Sir, you are right. Sir, you also said that if you make meritorious contributions in suppressing bandits, you will be rewarded! Just suppress the bandits!"

Su Wu waved his hand and finished speaking.

"Are you done?" Mr. Cheng was still a little surprised.

Su Wu nodded: "That's it."

Cheng Xianggong said softly: "You are no longer a minor official now, you should study more."

Then what should I say? How can I let Mr. Cheng know that although I am a soldier, I have also studied?

Su Wu then spoke: "We should serve the court, be worthy of the people, and live up to the great kindness of the lord. Wang Jiangning has a poem that says..."

Damn, who is Wang Jiangning?
Think about this...

Oh……

It turned out to be Wang Changling, oh my god!
"Well! In the past, Wang Jiangning had a poem that goes, 'I'll wear my golden armor after a hundred battles in the yellow sand, and I won't return until I've conquered Loulan!' To suppress the bandits, we must have such ambitions, and we won't return until we've conquered Loulan! We won't return until we've defeated the bandits!"

Su Wu looked at the prefect.

The husband was startled at first, then nodded with satisfaction and said softly: "Hey, you have read a lot of books. I am really impressed by you. Not bad, not bad. To be an official in my dynasty, you should have a good knowledge of poetry and books!"

"I haven't read much, but I have a basic understanding..." Su Wu nodded.

"mighty!"

"mighty!"

Su Wu raised his hand and pressed it, and just said: "Review!"

The cavalry came first, more than 300 horses in total, and they just came in rows...

"Magnificent!" Prefect Cheng just nodded.

The infantry also came, one by one, with the clattering footsteps in perfect order.

"The most heroic army of the time!" Governor Cheng was truly moved today. He was moved by the scene before him, and even more so by himself.

The prefect also looked at Su Wu and said, "It's not easy for you either!"

"I will do my best!" Su Wu nodded, but from a distance, he suddenly noticed another car frame parked at the camp gate, and it seemed that the curtains of the car were lifted...

Some people are watching it, that's good...

"Is there anything you need?" Cheng Wanli looked at the soldiers walking and asked Su Wu beside him.

"Sir, the bandits are getting stronger and stronger, and more and more people are following them. The soldiers we have in Dongping Prefecture who can really be used are all here, but there are only about 2,000 of them, which is actually too few. If we can report to the Privy Council and add some more troops to the Forbidden Chamber, it would be great if we can expand it in the future..."

Su Wu said frankly at this time that the organization is only one factor. The organization represents military pay, which is actually asking for money.

Cheng Wanli nodded and said, "This is quite difficult, but if the bandits really cause trouble, maybe it is possible."

"Don't have too many. Two thousand people and four camps should be easy to deal with..." Su Wu said. As for whether he would recruit another two thousand people, that was secondary for the time being. The key was to get food and wages for two thousand more people.

"Well, I'll try to play it first. Even if it doesn't work this time, if I play it a few more times, it will show that our situation is urgent. This way it will always work..."

Cheng Wanli can also be an official.

"That couldn't be better. Thank you very much, sir." Su Wu replied.

"What brave soldiers! Really brave soldiers!" Cheng Wanli was not lying about the scene before him; it was his true feeling in his heart.

The army will have more programs to perform as soon as the two thousand soldiers have passed by for review.

Arrange the formation, and then listen to the big drum. When you hear the drum, you advance. When the drum beats, you run. Charge and kill...

It was very lively for a while.

They retreated as soon as the horn was sounded, and everything was in good order, without any disorder.

"When you win every battle!" Cheng Wanli kept praising.

However, Su Wu knew in his heart that this army needed to fight a real battle and be tempered in blood and fire before it could be truly useful.

"It's all due to my husband's hard work!" Su Wu still tried every means to manage his leaders.

Cheng Wanli nodded, turned around, raised his hand to wipe his face, and there were really three or five hot tears.

Even if he has bitterness in his heart, he will have the ambition to finally reap the sweetness after suffering. Regardless of how big the ambition is, at least he wants to accomplish something. As a eunuch's disciple, if he doesn't want others to laugh at him, he has to do something.

Su Wu pretended not to notice and waved his hand: "That's enough for today, let's go. We'll have more meat in the evening."

"Mighty, mighty, mighty!"

The four battalions each took it back.

Su Wu also saw Cheng Wanli off to the car, and then he took a look at the new car.

Cheng Wanli also took a look, snorted twice, and was too lazy to say anything more. He just got in the car and the car started moving.

Someone from another car suddenly shouted, "Superintendent Su..."

Su Wu looked around first, then dismissed his followers and walked over to the window: "Meet Miss Chengguo."

"Su Dujian has trained a good army. He is truly a rare good general!" Miss Cheng praised first.

"I still need to practice more." Su Wu answered casually.

"Just now, I saw the horse-riding team over there. When they were walking back from the general's platform, the leader was a scary general with scars all over his face..." Miss Cheng stopped here.

"It's him. He is an excellent military general. He was framed and convicted, but he has never done anything bad. It's the right time to use him, so..." Su Wu just said this.

"Okay, I understand. Don't worry, I will never tell anyone else about this and I will keep this secret for you." Miss Cheng finally got the answer to this matter.

"Thank you, Miss Cheng."

"you……"

"Miss, what do you want me to do?" Su Wu asked.

"You should read more books recently..." said Miss Cheng in the car.

"what?"

What's going on? Your father told me to study more, and you told me to study more, too. How did you two know that I was illiterate?
I'm not illiterate!

If you don’t believe me, ask your dad. I can even answer “Wang Jiangning”.

"Oh, okay..." Su Wu answered blankly.

"Then let's go first..." The car frame started to catch up with the car in front.

Su Wu stopped on the spot, looked around and said, I am not illiterate!

(End of this chapter)