Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

When the guards heard Zhuque say that the new military governor had arrived, they didn't even bother to check his identity; their expressions changed, and they immediately made way for him.

Jia Jing frowned, realizing firsthand the lax discipline within the Ba Shang camp.

It's bad enough that the camp gates aren't closed and there's only one guard, but now they're not even checking anyone's identity and just letting people in.

If we were enemy spies, wouldn't this camp collapse at the slightest touch?

As Jia Jing and his group marched into the military camp, they saw rows of mud-brick houses along the way, their walls mottled and riddled with holes of varying sizes.

Most of the wooden strips on the windows were broken, and the window paper was almost gone, making one wonder if such barracks could keep out the cold or be habitable.

It was already 1:15 AM, but many barracks were still tightly closed, with no trace of morning exercises or training.

Despite being called a military camp, it showed no signs of military activity whatsoever; there were hardly any people to be seen.

The only thing that could tell this was Bashang Camp was the Han Dynasty flags fluttering in the military training ground.

"This is the Ba Shang Camp, one of the two elite forces guarding the capital of the Han Dynasty? Disorganized and undisciplined, can such soldiers win battles?"

Looking at the lifeless and gloomy state of the entire military camp, Jia Jing frowned and his face darkened. He knew that he had no choice but to take drastic measures to rectify the situation.

"Zhuque, didn't you say yesterday that Marquis Linchuan and his men only received 40% of the salary without actually working? To me, this camp doesn't look like it has 60,000 men. I don't even know if there are 40,000," Jia Jing asked in a deep voice.

"My lord, the 60,000 men are on the military roster. Some of the spots were taken by the servants of the Jingnan Wuxun. They don't usually come to the military camp; they only come to collect their pay or claim credit when they have military merits."

"Another portion of the soldiers were conscripted by the noble families of Shenjing City!" Zhuque replied, bowing respectfully.

The so-called "occupation with service" was a bad practice within the military.

In layman's terms, it means that some powerful and wealthy people would transfer soldiers to their own residences to build gardens, mansions, or do other kinds of labor.

This is the same principle as local officials and gentry seizing the land of local garrison households.

After all, the Ba Shang camp was located near the capital and had no combat missions on weekdays. The nobles of the capital felt it was a waste of resources to leave it unused, so they decided to have it do some work for them instead.

"Employment without service" and "receiving salary without working" are long-standing traditions among the military officers of Shenjing City.

In short, the powerful, the gentry, and the officials wanted to exploit the soldiers at the bottom of the ranks.

They'll deduct your pay, seize your land, and even make you do hard and tiring work for them without paying you.

This is the current situation of low-ranking soldiers in the Han Dynasty.

Jia Jing originally thought that the Han Dynasty had only been established for a little over a hundred years, and the Ba Shang camp should still have some fighting power, but it seems that it would be difficult to even defend the city with them.

Soldiers like these, who are untrained, undisciplined, and unpaid, have no morale or fighting capacity whatsoever.

It was absolutely necessary to carry out a thorough overhaul; Jia Jing even considered disbanding the entire army and training a new one, which might have been easier.

Meanwhile, in the main general's barracks in the center of the Ba Shang camp, Marquis Linchuan and Marquis Zhongqin were each holding a flushed-faced girl in their arms and drinking.

Unlike the other dilapidated barracks in the camp, this barracks was decorated in a magnificent manner, with various precious gold and silver artifacts reflecting a dazzling light under the firelight.

The Marquis of Linchuan appeared to be in his forties, with most of his hair already gray. He had a thin face but a large belly, and a shallow scar on his right cheek, which made him look somewhat fierce.

The woman in his arms looked frightened, with tears welling in her eyes.

At this moment, standing below in the hall was a middle-aged general in full military uniform, who frowned as he looked at Marquis Linchuan and Marquis Zhongqin and said:

"My lord, what business do you have summoned me for?"

Marquis Zhongqin smiled and gave the order:

"Ma Guocheng, the Zhao family is building a new garden. Take your troops and go help them!"

"I'd like to offer you a few words of advice. You've come all the way from the southwest to the capital; cherish this hard-won opportunity."

"The Duke of Zhao was once the Right Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies Commandery, holding a high position and wielding great power. Although he has resigned from his post, he remains deeply trusted by the Retired Emperor and has extensive connections within the military. If you can gain his favor, it will be more beneficial than winning any number of battles. Think it over yourself!"

The Marquis of Linchuan, standing to the side, took a sip from his wine cup and replied:

"You were recommended and promoted by the Duke of Ying for your meritorious service in the southwest. This Marquis and the Marquis of Zhongqin gave you this opportunity because we consider you one of our own. Don't ruin your chance!"

"I've heard you've expressed many grievances about the military and political affairs of the main camp. Don't think that just because the Duke of Cheng isn't here, we can't deal with you. The Bashang main camp won't tolerate anyone who acts recklessly!"

As Ma Guocheng listened to the two of them singing in unison, a chill ran down his spine. He knew perfectly well that the two of them, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, were clearly working together to put pressure on him.

The military officers of the Jingnan faction in the capital had not been in battle for a long time, and had forgotten most of their military law and discipline, but had learned a lot about court politics and intrigue.

Instead of properly training the troops in the camp, the two spent their days drinking and making merry. Now they are even openly patronizing prostitutes in the camp. They have no semblance of martial prowess whatsoever.

It's a disgrace to associate with such people!

Now they want me to build a garden for the Duke of Zhao? This is simply outrageous!

I am a general who leads troops, not a construction worker!

Marquis of Linchuan, I'm on duty at 8 a.m., but the military pay is still not being issued. All you're doing is spouting nonsense!

Ma Guocheng cursed inwardly, but ultimately couldn't control his temper and retorted bluntly:

"This humble general is a lieutenant general appointed by the imperial court; he only knows how to lead troops into battle, not how to manage a garden! Your Excellency should find someone more capable!"

"As for how to deal with this humble general, we'll discuss that when you two become military governors! I'm afraid we're not qualified yet!"

Ma Guocheng is not the type to swallow his anger; if he were in the southwest, he would have already started cursing.

He was a general who risked his life on the battlefield, what was there to be afraid of!

You two are just deputy military governors, don't take yourselves too seriously!

"Insolence!" Marquis Linchuan was furious upon hearing this, slamming his fist on the table, his eyes flashing with malice.

Marquis Zhongqin stopped him and waved his hand, saying:

"I'm just giving you a few pointers. Listen if you want, ignore if you don't. But let me be clear from the start."

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the Marquis of Zhongqin. "The waters of this capital are far deeper than those of the southwest. Quite a few lieutenant generals have lost their lives here!"

Ma Guocheng bowed with a blank expression and said:

"My lord, if there is nothing else, this humble general will take his leave!"

Marquis Zhongqin waved his hand, not even wanting to look at Ma Guocheng again, and said coldly:

Go!