novelhk Chapter 648: Working Together for a Better Business
Chapter 648: Working Together for a Better Business
The deputy generals around Jiang Meng all looked young. Although they had different body shapes and appearances, they all had a serious look on their faces that gave off a sense of authority without even getting angry.
The most important thing is that they are all dark-skinned, rough men, and they have the temperament of being experienced in the battlefield.
In comparison, Jiang Meng looks too young, and his face is too fair and delicate, giving people the impression of a pampered young man.
Zhou Chang was really worried that if he continued like this, he would lose his authority as the commander-in-chief in the army.
"Who is the man with the beautiful beard?" Jiang Meng asked blankly.
"The man with the beautiful beard is you, Brother Jiang..." Zhou Chang tried his best to organize his words, "You are a natural born general, but you just lack a little bit of color. Think about the stories told by the storytellers. Which commander is not tall and majestic, dignified, powerful and domineering... Most importantly, you can't have a fair complexion. It has to be weathered by the wind and rain, and it has to be rough. The rougher the better..."
Jiang Meng understood.
He didn't just learn about this issue today.
He just bowed and said: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will take care of the morale of the army."
"Do you really understand what I am trying to say, Brother Jiang?" Zhou Chang hadn't finished his words yet.
Jiang Meng nodded: "Charge into battle, Your Highness is just worried that the soldiers are not motivated enough."
"It's not just about momentum. As the saying goes, 'An army that mourns will win.' Brother Jiang, you have to find a way to make the soldiers mourn for Brother Xianwang..." Zhou Chang hugged Jiang Meng's hand, "You have to, Brother Jiang... I have already thrown out so much silver. It must not go to waste. Otherwise, even if I become a ghost, I will get the silver and interest back."
Jiang Meng shuddered, but did not dare to take back his hand that Zhou Chang was holding.
Prince Yi's reputation of "leaving traces when the wind blows and plucking feathers when the wild geese pass by" cannot be groundless. There is no reason for him to waste money for nothing. He must have dug a trap somewhere.
Of course, whoever takes the money should ask for it back.
Jiang Meng's mind was still somewhat in the state of painting, but his heart was inexplicably at peace.
Afterwards, Zhou Chang went down from the city wall and returned to the garrison camp, waiting for the Jin Caosi to report the accounts.
In that one hour alone, one hundred thousand taels of silver were thrown away, and more silver will have to be thrown away tomorrow. The Jin Caosi is now responsible for raising the silver, so he has no time to rest.
Today's 100,000 taels of silver were borrowed in the name of "wartime order", stamped with the seal of the Ministry of War, and given to the people of Maicheng twice the "IOU", so a clear account must also be given to the court and the local government.
However, in this way, the more grand and serious Prince Yi is, the more trust he will gain from the people.
Especially the wealthy families in Maicheng, who were already well-informed and on the sidelines, could no longer sit still.
On the one hand, they heard that this money could be used to temporarily delay the Mirage Army's siege of the city, which was already a good thing. At least it would give them time to move into the Yuebei Pass.
On the other hand, if the war situation can turn around and we can win this war, the rich families should be more careful. The silver used by the "wartime order" will be repaid twice by the court in the future, and miscellaneous taxes can be exempted during this period. Why not do it?
Therefore, that night, the wealthy families in Maicheng spontaneously united to "donate silver."
"I don't want copper coins, I only want small pieces of silver. Lower quality ones are fine, but they have to be sold at a discount. Silver ingots are not acceptable either. They have to be broken into pieces. The more the better." Zhou Chang was having dinner with Jiang Meng at the same table, and he started to pick them up with some pride.
The two had been discussing for a while when someone came to report the rich family's "donation of silver".
The person who came to report this was Wu Ling, the deputy general of Prince Xian. Seeing Prince Yi's calm and confident look, he did not dare to ask more questions and simply answered, "Yes."
Jiang Mengze put down his glass and asked, "Why?"
Zhou Chang shook his head again and said, "Brother Jiang is confused. The copper coins printed with 'You'an' can only be circulated within the borders of our Lin State. Moreover, they are made of copper, which is in short supply. Could it be that they were given to the Mirage Bandits to make weapons for nothing?"
Jiang Meng was spared a battle today, no casualties were caused, and he also watched a lively scene. Now that he had a drink, he finally relaxed:
"Your Highness Prince Yi is right, but throwing money out like this, even though Your Highness has the court's 'wartime order', if His Majesty asks about it in the future..." Jiang Meng was halfway through his words when he realized Fu Lin was still there, so he changed the subject, "Anyway, it's a pity to give all that money to the mirage thief for nothing."
Zhou Chang waved his hand and sent Wu Ling away, then sighed and said, "It can't be helped. The body of Brother Xian Wang is still in the mourning hall, and Brother Jiang's soldiers can't go to the battlefield. If we can use force, who would be willing to do this unprofitable business? This is all for Brother Jiang."
Jiang Meng didn't say anything, but poured Zhou Chang a glass of wine, which was considered as his tacit acceptance of her "kindness".
Zhou Chang turned around and told Shou Hou: "Monkey, go inform Gao Yuan and the people from the Jin Cao Division to keep a close eye on the silver and keep a clear account, otherwise it will be difficult to settle the accounts in the future."
"Yes." The skinny monkey agreed and walked out.
Everyone around him left, and Jiang Meng asked again: "Your Highness, are you going to use His Highness Xian Wang's deputy general as your own?"
"No, I don't know anything about military personnel. I'll leave it to Brother Jiang to make the arrangements." Zhou Chang knew that Jiang Meng was referring to Wu Ling, so he didn't care. But he thought of Zhou Tang during the day, "However, if there is a chance for that city guard, Brother Jiang should give him a chance."
"Of course." Jiang Meng did not reject it.
Zhou Chang's mind and eyes were now filled with silver. "Brother Jiang is responsible for the war, and I am only responsible for the silver. But the amount of silver must be clear, and the amount thrown out is the amount. Don't let your people take the opportunity to embezzle it. Brother Jiang, you understand what I mean, and you have to cooperate with me."
Jiang Meng naturally understood and drank a glass of wine by himself: "Don't worry, Your Highness Prince Yi. In the past, we had Your Highness Prince Xian. Now that Your Highness Prince Xian is gone, the atmosphere in the army should be reorganized. Whether it is the money from the court or the money from Your Highness, not a penny can be missing. We must be clear about it."
"Okay, Brother Jiang, I'll toast you another glass." Zhou Chang was very satisfied with Jiang Meng's statement.
On the battlefield, unreliable teammates are more terrifying than enemies.
Zhou Chang must hold Jiang Meng firmly.
Once Jiang Meng decided to "do business" with Prince Yi, he also devoted himself to it. Then he thought of something else: "Your Highness, why don't I send another team of reliable people to be your personal guards to protect you and save Wu Ling from following you around."
The people Zhou Chang brought were not enough, and he had to borrow people from Jiang Meng. However, there were not many people who could stay with him to protect his safety, so he did not refuse.
What's more, now is the time to show sincerity to each other. Military affairs are the most sensitive. Today on the city wall, Zhou Chang has already defeated Jiang Meng, otherwise there would be no need to make up for it at the banquet that night.
Jiang Meng sent someone, whether it was for surveillance, control or simply for safety reasons, Zhou Chang could not object, so he raised his glass again and said, "That's great, thank you, Brother Jiang."
Jiang Meng was naturally respectful and humble, and drank the next glass.
Just before the banquet, Zhou Chang told Jiang Meng roughly about Bai Ri's plan on the city wall, in order to reassure the new commander-in-chief.
But now, after three rounds of wine and five dishes, Jiang Meng still seemed to have doubts, so he had to persuade him again: "Brother Jiang, don't worry, just do what we discussed just now, I guarantee it will work."
Whether it works or not, there is no other good solution at the moment.
Jiang Meng was unwilling to admit that he was mediocre, so he had no choice but to follow Prince Yi and nod heavily.