Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 66 Revealing the Darkness
"Brother Zichang, congratulations on passing the annual exam."

Zhao Yifu clasped his fists and congratulated Fan Jin at the announcement site.

Fan Jin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I finally won. Thanks to my dear brother Junxin's care. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would still be unsuccessful."

Zhao Yifu shook his head and said, "No, my brother's academic ability is already there. He will definitely be able to pass the high school entrance exam without me this time."

This is not an empty talk. After all, the test was just taken in the first half of this year, and the exam was held again less than half a year later... To be frank, the people who took the exam this time were the ones who were eliminated last time!
Fan Jin nodded after hearing this, then he looked at Zhao Yifu and said, "Jun Xin, the imperial examination will be held in less than a month. I can go to the examination hall with you this time."

Zhao Yifu laughed and said, "Okay, then let's work together, brothers."

He actually didn't care much about this matter, just because of the message he received from his master that night... he could enter the inner sect!

Even though it was just a sentence, he didn't know when he could enter, nor how he could enter. He even knew that sooner or later he would be able to enter with his own cultivation...

But in Danqingmen, entering through cultivation and entering through works are two different concepts.

Entering through cultivation means that you are capable of cultivation, that’s all.

Only by entering with your works can you truly join the circle of painting!

Zhao Yifu had previously felt that it would be difficult for him to fit in in the art field, and he had mentally prepared himself to be excluded from the core circle.

Who would have thought that there would be such a sudden turn of events that he would be recognized because of a painting called "Midnight Kingdom".

He felt quite sorry in his heart, thinking that he shouldn't compare his senior master to a cat.

He made an appointment with Fan Jin to take the imperial examination together, and teased Song Jie who passed by the narrowest score, and then he staggered home to take a nap.

However, before he left, Zhou Su at the door saw him and gave him a look.

Zhao Yifu received the look and walked up obediently, saying, "Sir."

Zhou Su said calmly, "Come back with me later. I have something to discuss with you."

Zhao Yifu responded with a humble look, then waited beside him with Yiyi in his arms.

Yiyi was not very well-behaved in his arms. From time to time, she would bury her head in his armpit, or rub her cheek against his chest, meowing softly.

Yiyi is particularly clingy today.

Zhao Yifu knew what was going on. In fact, Yiyi had become smarter and had more emotions she wanted to express.

But at this time, as long as he reached out and rubbed its head gently, it would calm down.

He just stroked the cat while waiting, and only followed Zhou Su quietly when he came out.

Zhou Su's expression didn't seem very good along the way, as if he had something on his mind.

However, they did not return to Zhou Mansion immediately, but came to the guard post next to the dock.

This garrison had a garrison of 5,000 men and was called the Mozhou Garrison.

From here we can see why the entire Nanhu Province has to be divided into two parts, Mozhou and Nanhu Prefecture, simply because of the two garrison camps here: Mozhou Guard and Nanhu Guard.

Zhao Yifu was quite puzzled. Why did Zhou Su come to the garrison in Moyang City?

Then he saw a general in armor clasping his fists and bowing, saying to Zhou Su, "Greetings, Lord Zhou. Your presence here brings honor to our humble place."

Zhao Yi Fu was stunned. If he guessed correctly, this general should be the third-rank commander of the Mozhou Guard!
And what about Zhou Su?

Zhou Sumozhou's education commissioner was only of the fifth rank, and even his superior, the education commissioner of the entire Nanhu province, was only of the fifth rank!

But now?
A general of the third rank was actually being respectful and even servile to a civil official of the fifth rank. This world really is...

Zhao Yi Fu thought about it and felt that it seemed quite normal. After all, similar situations had already occurred in historical books in his previous life.

Zhou Su exchanged a few words with the commander of the guards, then took Zhao Yi Fu and walked straight inside.

Only then did Zhou Su say to him, "I have carefully considered your previous suggestion. It is indeed a good idea."

"There is indeed a precedent for civilian officials commanding troops in our dynasty, and this may become a trend in the future."

"This is actually very wrong, but there is nothing we can do about it. We are in this environment and can only adapt."

Zhao Yifu immediately nodded in agreement and offered sincere praise, "Yes, sir. Rather than letting those ignorant civilians command the troops recklessly, it would be better for a great talent like you to take over these matters. Only then can this country avoid major disasters in the short term."

Zhou Su shook his head and said nothing.

But there is obviously something unfinished.

That expression seemed to say, "Something big is about to happen."

He then pointed to the various account books in the garrison's storehouse and said, "Come with me to sort through the account books here. To command troops, one must first understand military affairs. We are scholars and don't need to be as hands-on as ordinary soldiers. We can gain a more intuitive understanding of military affairs through these account books."

Zhao Yifu felt that what he said made sense. After all, these account books recorded the food, clothing and other expenses of a guard horse. Many problems could indeed be seen from the data in these account books.

But the point is, what does this have to do with him?
He didn't say he wanted to learn military affairs, so why did Zhou Su bring him here?
Noticing Zhao Yifu's puzzled look, Zhou Su said with a slightly awkward expression, "Master can only stay here for half a day. The commander of the guards wouldn't dare let me stay here for a long time."

"With only half a day, even for me it would be difficult to sort out these accounts, so I need your help."

Zhao Yifu immediately understood and said, "I understand. I am your student, and I will do my utmost to help you in this matter."

Then Zhou Su said, "I'll check the incoming documents from recent years, and you check the outgoing records."

He began to assign work in order to find out what the daily expenses of an army of 5,000 men were.

Zhao Yifu accepted his fate and started to work.

These record books were actually very messy, and he was almost certain that there must be something fishy going on.

Of course, the commander of the guards probably felt that even Zhou Su would not be able to figure out much of the trick in just half a day, so he probably made some guarantees before letting them in.

Zhao Yifu didn't think much about it. It was other people's business if they were playing tricks, and he didn't care.

He just spread out the paper, ground some ink, and then with a touch of his finger, rows and columns of tables appeared on the paper.

Well, as a senior office worker, when I encounter so much data that needs to be counted, my first reaction is of course to open the Excel list and operate it.

Although there were no computers in this era, Zhao Yifu felt that his ink-splashing technique could already possess some of these functions.

I made a rough list, and then I started to fill it out according to the types and dates of the materials shipped out. Gradually, the list became longer and longer...

In just one afternoon, he completed all the warehouse shipment records for the entire year.

As the records are improved, the total number of each material shipped out throughout the year can be calculated and listed.

Zhou Su had put down the account book in his hand without knowing when, and turned to look at Zhao Yifu with great interest.

Zhao Yifu asked in surprise, "Sir, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Zhou Su shook his head and said, "No, there's actually not much to check in the incoming inventory records. They're pretty much the same every month. But your outgoing inventory records are quite messy with all sorts of categories and times."

"I didn't expect you to have the talent for coordinating logistics. Now that you've compiled the entire year's shipment records for this garrison, everything is crystal clear."

Zhao Yifu shook his head embarrassedly and said, "It's nothing. I just wanted to find a way to put all these things together so that I can see them more clearly."

Zhou Su said: "Maybe it's just an idea for you, but in my opinion, this idea is worth promoting to the entire Daxu." Zhao Yifu was stunned.

But Zhou Su then said, "Never mind. We are all insignificant now and there is no need to worry about this."

"Your reorganized account book is very good. I can already see a lot from it."

Zhao Yifu quickly handed over the form he had compiled.

Zhou Su carefully put it away and said, "Okay, let's go back. We can talk about it when we get back."

Zhao Yifu agreed, then watched the guard commander carefully escort Zhou Su out, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated...

Zhou Su consoled him, "Don't look like that. I just want to know the expenses of a garrison. I don't mean to check your accounts."

The commander of the guards still looked like he wanted to say something but didn't dare to.

Zhou Su patted his shoulder and said, "I understand what you're worried about, but please don't be embarrassed if I ask for your advice sincerely."

"How about this, if you have time in the future, Commander You can come to my house as a guest..."

Upon hearing this, Commander You quickly said, "No, how can we trouble Lord Zhou to worry about this? How about I find a place to treat Lord Zhou to a drink tomorrow?"

Zhou Su nodded calmly and said, "Okay."

Seeing this, Zhao Yifu understood the significance of Zhou Su's choice at this time.

Sure enough, the next moment, Commander You breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, Lord Zhou, for your presence."

Otherwise, he would really not feel at ease.

Zhao Yifu did not interrupt the whole process, but just followed his master to bid farewell to Commander You.

They walked all the way to Zhou's house without saying anything.

Zhao Yifu didn't know whether he should take the initiative to say goodbye. He didn't know if Zhou Su had anything to tell him.

But at this moment, Zhou Su asked, "Do you have anything else to do today?"

Zhao Yifu shook his head and said, "Nothing."

Zhou Su asked, "Have the rats from Midnight Country caused any more trouble?"

Zhao Yifu said, "Ever since you revealed your true form and scared off the rat spirit named Yong Dalang, the Midnight Nation has not dared to enter Moyang City again."

"And the Danqing Sect has already thoroughly investigated the strengths and weaknesses of the Midnight Nation. I believe they will be taking action soon."

Zhou Su nodded silently upon hearing this, and then said, "That's great. Since you've participated in today's events, why not stay and take a lesson with my daughter?"

Zhao Yifu was surprised. He thought Zhou Su would not want him to have any contact with Zhou Qingzhao again.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Su seemed to understand what he meant and sighed deeply, "In the past, I would definitely not let you have too much contact with Qing Zhao. After all, you are quite outstanding, and I am afraid Qing Zhao might fall in love with you over time."

"But now I really hope that she can really fall in love with you over time, so that she can give up that terrible ambition."

Zhao Yifu touched his nose and said nothing. At this moment, any expression he made could lead to mistakes, so it was better to remain silent.

Not long after, Zhou Qingzhao arrived.

Not only did she come, but the tall and strong Zhao Xiangyu also came.

Zhao Xiangyu was also a little surprised to see Zhao Yifu, but she just nodded slightly and didn't say much.

In fact, when Zhou Su was teaching Zhou Qingzhao, he never asked Zhao Xiangyu to avoid it. Zhao Yifu already understood what the old scholar meant.

That is, if Zhou Qingzhao really wants to go down this path, then she must also train a close assistant for her.

Zhao Xiangyu is also a woman, but she is born with supernatural powers and is braver than most men. Isn't she the best helper?

Zhao Yifu even felt that Zhou Su's willingness to admit that he was his disciple also meant to completely appease Zhao Xiangyu.

Of course, it was hard for him to guess what an old silver coin like Zhou Su was thinking. Perhaps there was a deeper meaning behind it.

When Zhou Qingzhao saw Zhao Yifu, her eyes immediately lit up. She still had special feelings for 'Mr. Zhao' who guided her on this path.

Zhou Su coughed dryly and said, "Okay, today I will tell you about the various supplies and expenses needed for this guardhouse."

As he spoke, he took out the information he had obtained this afternoon and started talking about it.

It's completely learned and applied at the same time.

But Zhao Yifu felt that Zhou Su's lecture was very professional, and it was impossible to tell that he had just learned it somewhere.

He could only sigh that he was indeed the reincarnation of Emperor Wenchang's spirit, he was just different.

This class lasted for a full three-quarters of an hour, and it explained some of the data in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

But after he finished explaining everything, he suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Do you know how much supplies the imperial court allocates to each garrison each year?"

Everyone was confused. Hadn't they just analyzed all the data?
But Zhou Su didn't wait for their answer, but said to himself: "The organization of the Daxu Guard is 5600 people per battalion."

"But every time the imperial court distributed supplies, it only distributed enough for about 5000 people to the garrisons in the capital."

"For border guard posts, supplies for 4500 people were distributed."

"Do you know how much supplies have been distributed to important garrisons in cities like Mozhou?"

Zhao Yifu already knew what was going on.

Zhou Qingzhao asked in disbelief: "How could this happen?"

Zhou Su shook his head and said, "We in Mozhou can only get 4200 people's worth of supplies each year. This is according to the imperial court's account."

"But today I looked through the Mozhou Guard's accounting records, and they actually only receive about 3300 supplies per year."

Zhou Qingzhao was speechless.

Zhou Su also paused here and glanced at the three students in front of him.

Zhao Xiangyu was not afraid of such a look. She snorted coldly and said, "I don't know anything else, but there are definitely not 3000 Mozhou guards stationed in Moyang City."

Zhou Su nodded and said, "To be exact, there are only 2437 people, 611 of whom are old and weak with little combat effectiveness, and they don't even get paid enough."

Zhao Yifu couldn't help but take a deep breath and said, "So, the actual combat strength of the 5600-man Mozhou Guard is less than 2000."

Everyone was speechless, feeling an indescribable discomfort about the current situation.

Zhou Su looked at Zhou Qingzhao, as if expecting something.

Zhao Yifu knew that the old father was probably deliberately revealing the darkness in the army to see if his daughter would give up.

Unfortunately, he failed to do so.

　Future updates will be changed to 4K words per chapter. I feel that this way of writing makes it more coherent.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)