Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 556: Governor's Message
Hu Zengshou joined the army voluntarily or was forced to do so.

According to the current policy in Liao, rescued Han slaves or Han captives who escaped on their own would first be sent to Liaoyang for identification. After their identities were confirmed and the possibility of them being spies was ruled out, arrangements would be made.

However, for some special situations, the government has also prepared corresponding simplified procedures, the most typical of which is for registered military households to voluntarily join the army.

Governor Xiong Tingbi believed that the foreign troops could not remain in Liaodong forever; sooner or later, Liao territory would have to be defended by Liao people. Therefore, the governor's office continued to recruit soldiers for Liaodong. If the Han Chinese who returned to the Han territory were adult males but did not have military registration, the government would offer relatively generous conditions and recommend their enlistment. This was how the Su brothers enlisted.

If the adult male who returned to the Han area was already a registered military household or a surplus of a military household, the Liaodong Governor's Office would directly enlist him in the military and send him to the front after completing basic training.

If a rescued man, especially a registered military household, voluntarily joins the army that rescues him, Liaoyang will implement a simple identification process.

In short, the Liaodong Governor's Office would search for a book with the person's name, or search for his relatives based on the description, based on the written materials sent by the military commanders such as the You, Can, Fu, and Zhen. If the person's story could be verified, he would be directly incorporated into the local army, registered, and given food.

Hou Shilu followed this process. Relying on the information provided by Hu Zengshou, he forged a detailed application for enlistment and sent it to Liaoyang.

Upon receiving the request, the governor's office immediately dispatched personnel to search the archives of the Fushun Office for old records. They found a military household register with Hu Zengshou's name registered. The governor's office then dispatched runners to search for Hu Zengshou's family. Although Hu Zengshou's three clans had been nearly wiped out after the fall of Fushun, fortunately, a few surviving members of the Hu family had escaped and could verify Hu Zengshou's description of his hometown.

Liaoyang then approved Hu Zengshou's "enlistment application," simplified the conscription process, and informed Hou Shilu that he did not need to report to Liaoyang and could directly join the Weining garrison. After receiving the reply, Hou Shilu sent someone to deliver a verbal enlistment notice to Hu Zengshou, informing him that he had been drafted and assigned to the army of his savior.

Many people joined the army through this process. Li Xian had also relied on this process to join Ding Xiu's army. But unlike Hu Zengshou, he was a true volunteer.

Clearly, this policy had a glaring loophole. Military officers could exploit this simplified process to create a virtual army and collect unpaid salaries from the imperial court. After all, there were many survivors in the Fu, Qing, Kai, and Tie regions, and even more dead. As long as they could find a family member whose entire family had been wiped out, they could mass-produce stories of "deserters volunteering to join the army."

Civil officials were aware of this loophole. To address it, when inspecting local areas and reviewing rosters, the two officials would request that military commanders who had recently recruited soldiers through simplified procedures bring forward those "deserted soldiers" who had volunteered to join the army. If the individual had died in battle before the official's inspection, his comrades could also be questioned. If such a person could be proven to exist or to have existed, the inspection process would cease. If there was no evidence, or if fraud was proven, the individual would be subject to military law for those below the third rank, and dismissed from office pending investigation for those above the third rank.

As for whether the person was truly willing, the two ministers did not care or ask. After all, military households did not have the freedom to join the army or not.

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Gradually, the others finished their delicious and filling lunch. They put down their bowls and followed Ding Xiu to Hou Shilu's desk, bowing. "Thank you, Marshal, for the generous meal! We've kept you waiting."

"No need to be so polite. I was the one who called you here at dinner time." Hou Shilu put down the "Nine Borders Illustrated Explanation" in his hand, then moved the paperweight to his left, picked up the letter on the envelope, and turned his head to look at Ding Baiying, who was following behind Ding Xiu. "If I remember correctly, your name is Ding Baiying?"

Ding Baiying hadn't expected Hou Shilu to speak to her first. She paused for a moment, then nodded blankly, "Yes, I'm Ding Baiying. What are your orders, Marshal?"

Ding Xiu looked at Ding Baiying in confusion, then tactfully moved half a step to the side, which caused Hou Shilu to straighten his head.

"Do you know a Jinyiwei named Lu Wenzhao?" Hou Shilu asked.

"I know him." Hearing the name Lu Wenzhao, Ding Baiying's heart tightened instantly. A complex expression flashed in his eyes. "He is my senior brother."

When Ding Xiu heard this, the confusion in his eyes first turned into surprise, but soon turned into enlightenment.

"Haha, it really is you," Hou Shilu quickly put on a subtle smile on his face. Hou Shilu waved at Ding Baiying and said, "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

Ding Baiying took two steps forward and said sincerely, "Senior Brother Lu is Senior Brother Lu, and I am me. I have never thought of gaining any special treatment by relying on this relationship."

"But your senior brother Lu has come to visit us now." Hou Shilu watched Ding Baiying's expression intently.

"Senior Brother is here in Weining?" Ding Baiying's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of panic appeared on her face. She subconsciously raised her hand and tidied her slightly messy temples.

"Not yet, but I think it will be soon." Hou Shilu smiled softly and casually shook the official letter from Liaoyang. "Not long ago, the General's Office received a letter from the Governor's Office." Hou Shilu raised his hand and flicked his wrist, and the page of the letter was passed diagonally to Ding Baiying's chest. "You should take a look for yourself."

Ding Baiying stretched out his hand and pinched the edge of the letter paper. Through the transmission of the paper, Hou Shilu felt Ding Baiying's slight trembling.

Ding Baiying took the letter and saw the following content:
Yuan Yingtai, the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate and Governor of Liaodong, was responsible for assisting the transit:

Yuan Keli, the newly appointed military governor of Zhenjiang, passed through Weining a few days later. The emperor ordered Lu Wenzhao, a captain of the Imperial Guard, to lead twelve imperial guards to escort him. He also assigned 120 officers and soldiers from the Left Patrol of the Shenshu Commandery of the Beijing Camp to accompany him. The town was to provide five clean rooms, 30 dan of rice and flour, and 200 bundles of fodder and beans to feed the Beijing Camp's war horses. Besides the regular provisions for the imperial carriage, an additional 50 taels of silver were to be provided as rewards for the troops.

Yuan Yingtai, the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate and Governor of Liaodong, consulted the Weiningying Marquis Zhentai on matters concerning his quest for old acquaintances:
I recently heard that Ding Baiying's name appears in your garrison's report of merit. Captain Lu Wenzhao of the Eastern Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard suggests this individual may be an old acquaintance. I kindly ask the garrison commander to conduct a detailed investigation of this individual. If he is indeed an old friend of Captain Lu, he should be retained in Weining with courtesy and money, and his transfer should be postponed. Military duties should follow normal procedures, but please do not hinder private meetings and reminisce about past ties. This is a personal request from Captain Lu, not a direct inquiry from the Imperial Guards. Please be careful not to disturb the local authorities.

The tenth day of the fourth month of the first year of Taichang

Stamp, seal of the Fuyuan.

"Captain Lu and Bingxian Yuan went south to Zhenjiang, why did they have to go around to Weining? Miss Ding, do you have any idea?" Hou Shilu's brows gradually frowned.

He had been in the military his entire life, and had never heard of a serving Imperial Guard captain accompanying a military governor upon his appointment. When Xiong Tingbi was sent to Liaodong, the court didn't assign him any Imperial Guards. This unusual situation must have other reasons. In Hou Shilu's opinion, the last sentence in the memorial even had a hint of ulterior motives.

"I, I don't know anything." Ding Baiying seemed to be happy, sad, and angry, and her face was gloomy.

"You should have a good relationship with him, right?" Hou Shilu looked at Ding Baiying steadily, and slowly began to think in his mind.

"I, I..." Ding Baiying shook her head like a rattle, "I don't know either." "Heh." Hou Shilu stood up and snatched the official letter from Ding Baiying's hand.

Ding Baiying's hands felt empty, and she subconsciously reached forward to snatch the official letter back. But she didn't rudely snatch it away. Instead, she lowered her head with a sense of inexplicable loss and grievance, like a child whose toy had been taken away by an adult.

"Ding Xiu." Hou Shilu threw the official letter casually onto the desk.

"Here!" Ding Xiu bowed sternly. He still didn't understand the twists and turns of officialdom, but he could clearly sense that beneath Hou Shilu's smile, there was a hidden negativity.

"I heard from Hou Gongji that you have a new plan?" Hou Shilu asked Ding Xiudao.

"Return to the commander," Ding Xiu said, "I've been back for so long, and I'm almost done resting. I'm going to take my brothers out of the border again and ask those Jurchen barbarians for some money."

"Still leaving the border?" Hou Shilu laughed. "Most of the bandits have retreated. Do you still want to rely on these few men to take advantage of the situation and destroy their nest?"

"I'm not so arrogant as to be ignorant of my own limitations," Ding Xiu smiled, then turned and pointed at Hu Zengshou. "This guy said he knows of several small ranches that employ both Han and Tatar slaves. He said that if we could take down a few of the people in charge, we could potentially control the entire ranch. Furthermore, I'm not planning to lead the team alone. I've already contacted Captains Li and Tong and are planning to put together a team of thirty before setting off."

"Where are those ranches?" Hou Shilu raised his arm and pointed to the map hanging on the left side of the big tent.

Ding Xiu looked at the map and thought for a while, then walked over and pointed to the location of Niumao Village and said, "Probably around here."

"Niumao Village?" Hou Shilu's eyes widened, his mouth curled. "This place is 250 miles away. Even with an unobstructed road, it would take three or four days. I'm afraid your round trip will take half a month, right?"

"The distance isn't a problem. Last time, I covered almost two or three hundred miles. Besides, I'm very familiar with this area," Ding Xiu said, circling the area north of Kuandian Liubao and south of Niumao Village. "Before the fighting, I often hunted around here. Even if the road ahead is a little unfamiliar, with this kid leading the way and Old Yan's experience, it shouldn't be a problem."

When Yan Nian heard Ding Xiu praising him, a fiery look immediately appeared on his face.

Hou Shilu glanced at Niumao Village, then at Hetuala. "You better think about it. Going to a place like that could result in total annihilation if you're not careful. Don't play with your life."

"Wealth and honor are sought in danger," Ding Xiu's lips slowly curled up into a greedy and bloodthirsty arc. "There aren't so many perfect deals in this world. If you want to win fame and make money, you have to risk your life."

"Good boy!" Hou Shilu looked at Ding Xiu and nodded in appreciation. "In military operations, it's important to have multiple strategies and a single person to command. Coordination alone isn't enough. Go back and tell Hou Gongji that I said so. Have him give you a Hundred Commander badge to show you the power and authority."

"Thank you, Marshal, for your reward!" Ding Xiu immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

"Get up. I originally planned to give you this assignment after the imperial court's reward came through. I'm only bringing it forward a bit now. I'm not giving you anything extra." Hou Shilu waved his hand. "After you get the badge, remember to give those you've selected a good lesson, so they know the difference between superiors and subordinates."

"Thank you for your teachings, Marshal." Ding Xiu kowtowed again before standing up.

Hou Shilu looked at Ding Baiying, but said to Ding Xiu, "You go on this business trip, and she has to stay."

"Yes." Ding Xiu agreed without any hesitation.

"Okay, let's all go back. I still have to lead the Cavalry Battalion for a horse race in the afternoon, so I need to rest for a while." Hou Shilu turned his head and walked towards the bench behind the big desk.

"I'll take my leave!" Ding Xiu bowed and left.

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The messenger had ridden to the hunting camp, but Ding Xiu and the others could only trot behind their horses. Leaving the training grounds and returning to their base, they naturally had no choice but to walk back.

The whole journey was silent. Although everyone looked around and thought about something, no one dared to ask the question that everyone was curious about.

"That." Finally, Ding Xiu couldn't help himself. "Hiss, that."

"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't act like a fool, hesitating for a long time and unable to say anything." Ding Baiying turned around and glared at Ding Xiu.

"Haha," Ding Xiu smiled awkwardly and asked directly, "The senior brother that Master Ding mentioned earlier who passed the martial arts exam should be, this, this Captain Lu, right?"

"Well, yes." Ding Baiying responded lightly, but her heartbeat was getting faster and faster.

"He seems very powerful? He can even get the governor's office to write a letter to Marshal Hou." Ding Xiu said with a flattering smile.

"No matter how powerful he is, it has nothing to do with you, and I can't help you get promoted." Ding Baiying snorted lightly, and his back seemed to straighten a little.

"Don't think of me like that! I'm not that kind of person." Ding Xiu was not annoyed, or rather, he didn't dare to be annoyed.

"Yes, you are not." Ding Baiying's voice seemed to come out from between her teeth.

Ding Xiu was a bit overwhelmed by the pressure. He glanced around and found that while the others were still curious, they didn't seem to be making fun of him. His expression brightened slightly. Ding Xiu pursed his lips, smiled bitterly, and then continued to ask, "Can you tell us what was written on that thing Hou Zhenshuai showed you?"

(End of this chapter)