Chapter 151: Assuming Office

For the past few days, the Shanggu Commandery Governor's Mansion had been permeated with an atmosphere of impending farewell. The departure date for General Li Guang, the Flying General who had served as the governor of Shanggu for two years, had been set for tomorrow morning.

On this afternoon, a single horseman galloped from the Shanggu military camp straight toward the Governor's Mansion. Dismounting at the entrance, he handed his horse over to a servant and, dispensing with the need for an announcement, strode directly into the estate and headed toward the reception hall.

The visitor wore a red robe over dark black armor, exuding an extraordinary, heroic aura. The masculine vigor between his brows had undoubtedly infatuated countless women in the past. The ring-pommeled saber at his waist glinted faintly in the sunlight—a weapon that had accompanied him for a long time, having cleaved the heads of countless enemies who dared invade Han territory, and having countless times commanded the Shanggu cavalry in charges symbolizing victory and glory. This unassuming dark armor of his was the battle flag that soldiers eagerly watched and followed in every major battle. The cavalrymen of the Shanggu camp all knew that wherever this dark armor went, victory followed.

Yet today, the master of this dark armor and ring-pommeled saber did not appear particularly awe-inspiring. On the contrary, his eyes held a lingering, unusual emotion. Although he deliberately concealed this sentiment, the feelings welling up from the depths of his heart could not be so easily brushed aside.

Li Guang sat upright in the reception hall, his back rigidly straight, his expression solemn. Having spent the better part of his life as a soldier, fighting and surviving through countless battles on the front lines, Li Guang had grown accustomed to this standard military posture. Even though he was now honored as a victorious marquis of the Han Empire and a figure who struck terror into the hearts of the Xiongnu, he never relaxed his demands upon himself in the slightest.

"General," someone entered the room, saluting Li Guang.

Seeing the newcomer, Li Guang snapped out of his deep contemplation, smoothed his expression, and offered a faint, approving smile. "Take a seat, Qin Cheng."

Qin Cheng sat down behind a nearby low table. Before he could ask anything, Li Guang spoke first: "How are matters at the military camp coming along?"

"Everything that needs to be prepared is ready. We are just waiting for the new recruits to enter the camp, and then all operations can proceed smoothly," Qin Cheng replied. "However, regarding the upcoming formation of the cavalry unit, this subordinate has a rather immature idea. I am uncertain whether it is feasible and hope the General can vet it for me."

"Speak your mind," Li Guang instructed.

"This time, if we select seven thousand new recruits to fill the cavalry ranks, combined with the existing three thousand cavalrymen already in camp, training a ten-thousand-strong iron cavalry force... after pondering this for quite some time, this subordinate still feels it is somewhat imprudent. Because the new recruits will make up the majority while veteran soldiers will be insufficient, building an elite iron cavalry force within a year or two will be extremely difficult. Therefore, this subordinate wishes to modify the personnel composition." Qin Cheng explained.

"You wish to increase the proportion of veterans?" Li Guang asked.

"Indeed. I want five thousand veterans. Aside from the three thousand already in the camp, I need an additional two thousand veterans, and I intend to draw these from various counties and towns," Qin Cheng said.

Li Guang pondered for a moment. "That is a bold idea." With that, he burst into a hearty laugh. "If it weren't bold, you wouldn't be Qin Cheng! Good, the old man supports you!" He paused briefly, then added: "If you draw the majority of the cavalry from the counties and towns below, how do you plan to arrange the defense of those regions?"

Hearing Li Guang's question, Qin Cheng instinctively wore a confident smile—the very same expression he wore whenever he devised a brilliant strategy on the battlefield. "Fortify strongholds, establish early warnings, and clear the countryside," he said.

"Select and dispatch elite scouts to widen their patrol range, disguised as various characters to gather intelligence from all directions. The moment any anomaly is discovered, trigger the warning signal immediately—this is early warning. Fortifying strongholds means reinforcing outposts to enhance their defensive capabilities against Xiongnu cavalry. Once the Xiongnu invade, barring any order to sally forth, all personnel and supplies must immediately retreat into the strongholds to hold firm, forbidding rash sorties. This forces the Xiongnu to return empty-handed—this is clearing the countryside. Persist with this for a year or two, and when the iron cavalry is fully trained, that will be the moment the Shanggu Han army sweeps across the desert!" Qin Cheng detailed each point.

Li Guang nodded. He naturally knew that Qin Cheng was emulating the strategy employed by Li Mu during the Warring States period. In fact, after Li Guang himself had taken office as the governor of Shanggu, he had practiced a similar approach, though not nearly on Qin Cheng's scale. After all, Li Guang had never intended to avoid fighting the invading Xiongnu for a year or two.

Yet neither Li Guang nor Qin Cheng could foresee at this moment that over the next year or two, the Xiongnu had no intention of launching a large-scale invasion into Shanggu at all. While Qin Cheng was single-mindedly training his iron cavalry, the Xiongnu were also plotting a major campaign with an ambition no less than Qin Cheng's dream of "sweeping across the desert." To put it bluntly, at this juncture, a mere Shanggu was no longer regarded by the Xiongnu as a significant threat.

Naturally, Li Guang had no reason to oppose Qin Cheng's proposal at this time. He thought for a moment, stood up, and said to Qin Cheng, "For more than half a year, you have never disappointed me; instead, you have brought me one pleasant surprise after another. I was not mistaken in you from the beginning. You, fellow, were born for this battlefield, and you are destined to achieve extraordinary feats in the Han-Xiongnu wars. Seeing that you are finally capable of standing on your own and holding your own ground, I am immensely gratified. I can now safely entrust all matters of Shanggu into your hands, believing that you will not let me down!"

"It is all due to the General's cultivation; Qin Cheng dares not claim the credit," Qin Cheng said solemnly.

"Very well, there is no need for such modesty with me anymore. Now that both of you and I are marquises enfeoffed by His Majesty, we are equals. From now on, you need not refer to yourself as a subordinate in my presence," Li Guang comforted him. "To have trained a soldier like you is truly a joyous occasion, haha!"

When faced with praise—especially praise bestowed directly by someone he deeply respected—Qin Cheng never quite knew how to react. At this moment, aside from offering a polite smile to accompany Li Guang, he truly did not know what else to do.

The two chatted about military matters for a long time. For the first time, Li Guang shared many stories from his early years in the army with Qin Cheng. Before they knew it, darkness had fallen, and Li Guang told Qin Cheng to return to the camp. "You are now the commander-in-chief of the three armies. Every word and action must befit that status. Without constant supervision from above, you must never grow lax or careless."

"Qin Cheng understands," Qin Cheng said, cupping his fists.

Li Guang suddenly sighed, speaking from deep emotion: "Go on then. Leaving Shanggu is, for me, a good thing after all."

Qin Cheng blinked, puzzled, and asked, "What does the General mean?"

Li Guang chuckled softly and spoke without pretense, directly stating, "It is all because of you, fellow. Ever since you became the Colonel of Cavalry, and I acquired such a brilliant and capable subordinate who handles affairs with such propriety, I have unconsciously developed the habit of relying on you, growing too lazy to use my own brains when facing problems! Otherwise, when dealing with the Wuhuan army last time, would I have needed you to return? I would have put them all neatly in their place long ago! Leaving Shanggu this time, with you no longer by my side—out of sight, out of mind—how could it not be a good thing?"

Qin Cheng was rendered speechless for a moment, knowing that what Li Guang said was indeed the truth.

In one's youth, everyone possessed drive and the passion to burnish their own wisdom. But once a person ascended to a certain position and had subordinates around them to devise strategies on their behalf, they would take shortcuts whenever possible. Once the habit of laziness took root, it would gradually corrode a person's intellect. In the end, this was precisely what ruined a generation of renowned generals. This was also why many famous generals eventually fell at the hands of their juniors.

And right now, Li Guang was experiencing this very thing. Yet Li Guang had managed to recognize the problem in time and could state it without reservation.

When Li Guang escorted Qin Cheng to the main gate of the Governor's Mansion, the moonlight was mottled, its clear radiance dancing upon the ancient tiles. The dark wooden doors vibrated with historical weight, and the bluestone street lengthened the shadows of the few pedestrians passing by.

Two Han generals in full armor bade farewell at the threshold. Seeing Li Guang's hesitant expression, as if he had words he wished to speak but held back, Qin Cheng naturally knew what Li Guang wanted to say. He thus spoke: "General, rest assured. As long as this subordinate remains in the camp, the Young General will come to no harm."

Li Guang smiled, sighed softly, and said in an even tone, "Li Gan is no longer a child. I have nothing to worry about. You must not treat him any differently; simply regard him as an ordinary soldier."

How could Qin Cheng not know the lingering attachment Li Guang held for Li Gan in his heart? He cupped his fists in assent and said no more.

After Qin Cheng mounted his horse and departed, Li Guang stood frozen at the entrance for a long time. At last, he sighed, pulled himself together, and muttered to himself, "The Han Empire is full of talented individuals; how much longer can the Xiongnu afford to run amok?"

The Qiansang military camp in Shanggu was brightly lit. The sentries on the watchtowers stood at rigid attention, their silhouettes under the moonlight looking exceptionally masculine and carrying a hint of mystery. Anyone else seeing this would inevitably feel a surge of reverence.

Qin Cheng spurred his horse into the camp. Upon reaching the commanding tent of the Cavalry, he instructed Qin Qingzhi to summon all the commandants, colonels, and those officers whose military ranks had not yet reached those levels but who, by virtue of their recent meritorious service and rewards, could match ordinary commandants and colonels.

A short while later, while Qin Cheng was still examining the military map hanging inside the tent, the officers arrived one after another.

They included Liu Mu, the deputy commander of the cavalry; commandants Ji Zhu and Ma Dashan; Yue Yi and Li Gan; as well as Shan Jia, who had arrived at the camp just today.

"Qingzhi, come inside as well!" Qin Cheng called out to Qin Qingzhi, who was standing outside the tent. Hearing the summons, Qin Qingzhi entered the tent still baffled as to why a high-level military council meeting would include him—something that had never happened before.

Seeing that all the officers had arrived, Qin Cheng skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Three days from now, the new recruits will enter the camp. Do any of you still have inadequacies in your preparations?"

All the officers replied that everything was fully prepared.

"This time, five thousand new recruits are to be drawn to supplement the cavalry division. I am now making the following arrangements for the ten thousand cavalrymen: veteran cavalry units will be organized by regiment, regiments into battalions, and so forth. Both new and veteran cavalrymen shall form the new cavalry camp, which will comprise one heavy cavalry division and one light cavalry division. There shall be four thousand heavy cavalry and six thousand light cavalry. Ma Dashan shall serve as the Heavy Cavalry General, commanding all heavy cavalry; Ji Zhu shall serve as the Light Cavalry General, commanding the six thousand light cavalry. Yue Yi, Li Gan, and Shan Jia shall each serve as colonels within the light and heavy cavalry divisions. I shall serve as the Cavalry General, commanding the entire army, and Liu Mu shall remain as the deputy commander! Do any of you have objections?" Qin Cheng declared.

"We have no objections!" the officers responded in unison.

After discussing a few more matters, Qin Cheng dismissed the officers, leaving only Qin Qingzhi behind in the tent.

"Do you know why I kept you in the tent to listen in?" Qin Cheng asked Qin Qingzhi.

"This... this subordinate does not know," Qin Cheng replied honestly.

"From now on, whenever there is a military council, I will still allow you to audit. As for how much you can comprehend, that will depend entirely on your own wits. Very well, you may leave!" Qin Cheng rubbed the bridge of his nose and said.

"This subordinate takes his leave," Qin Qingzhi cupped his fists in assent. As he backed out of the tent, his heart could not help but pound fiercely against his ribs.

At the dead of night, Qin Cheng climbed to the central army watchtower all by himself. Gazing into the distance, the scattered lights twinkled, and the surrounding wilderness was enveloped in absolute silence. Standing alone in the darkness with his saber in hand, Qin Cheng stood in the biting cold wind for a long time.

In this military camp, after half a year of effort, he had finally reached the very top.

The highest peak represented power, but it also meant responsibility; it meant freedom, yet it likewise meant constraints.

Raising his head to look toward the northwest, the wolf star flickered relentlessly.

...

The next day, Li Guang and Deputy General Li Xi bade farewell to the Shanggu military camp and set off together toward Chang'an. Qin Cheng led the senior officers of the army to escort them for thirty miles before returning.

On the same day, Qin Cheng assumed office at the Qiansang Commandery Governor's Mansion, officially acting as the Governor of Shanggu Commandery, managing civil administration and commanding all Han forces within Shanggu.

Two days later, the new garrison recruits entered the camp. Qin Cheng ordered the Qiansang camp to select the top five thousand garrison soldiers to be incorporated into the Qiansang cavalry division.

Two days after that, "Tianlang Residence"—Qin Cheng's private home located just one street away from the Governor's Mansion—finished its renovations. Bai Xinxin and little Rong'er officially moved in. From then on, Qin Cheng finally had a home of his own in this era.

On this day, after finishing various affairs at the Governor's Mansion, Qin Cheng rode back alone to Tianlang Residence. Upon entering the courtyard, before even removing his armor, he asked Bai Xinxin to boil tea and headed straight to the reception hall by himself.

At that moment, a young merchant wrapped entirely in sable fur was sitting in the reception hall, sipping tea. Hearing Qin Cheng enter, he did not even lift his head, merely saying with a lukewarm tone, "The Governor's tea certainly tastes uniquely flavored, tsk tsk, especially when the governor happens to be named Qin."

Qin Cheng sat down in the room, ignoring the teasing tone in the man's words, and replied indifferently, "Later, I'll let you taste the tea brewed by your sister-in-law, and it will taste even more unique."

Hearing this, the man asked curiously, "When do the two of you plan to tie the knot?"

"After we get through this busy period. Now that I have just taken office, coinciding with the arrival of new recruits when the cavalry is at a critical stage of development, I truly have no spare time to manage this affair. It can only be put on hold for now," Qin Cheng said.

"A great man need not worry about lacking a wife; this matter is not urgent, take your time," the man remarked. "Besides, you are bound to have a houseful of wives and concubines anyway."

At that moment, Bai Xinxin entered the room, followed by several servants carrying tea-brewing utensils, along with little Rong'er. Seeing Bai Xinxin, the man showed proper courtesy, hurriedly rising to say, "Sister-in-law."

"Nangong, no need for formalities. You two go ahead and talk," Bai Xinxin and little Rong'er moved aside to brew tea for them.

"Very well, let's talk business," Qin Cheng said to Nangong Shang.

"The business is that now you have become the governor, and I have prepared everything that needs to be prepared. As long as your official warrants are issued, I can get to work," Nangong Shang said. "However, we are still missing one thing."

"People?"

"Correct, ruthless people," Nangong Shang said earnestly. "The administrative staff for the chamber of commerce is fine; those are people in the open. But the personnel for covert operations, or rather, the security force of the chamber of commerce, is still insufficient. You know as well as I do that once the chamber of commerce is established, it will inevitably step on many people's toes. When that time comes, people will undoubtedly try to trip us up. Those individuals might hesitate to act openly out of respect for your position, but behind the scenes, there's no telling what kind of underhanded methods they might resort to. We must guard against them!"

"Rest assured, the personnel have already been arranged. In the next couple of days, I will transfer them to you from the military. Nominally, these people will simply be ordinary guards protecting the chamber of commerce, so no one will be able to catch me in a public fault," Qin Cheng said. "However, these people can only assist you in the initial stages. Later on, if the chamber of commerce is to develop stably, you must still train your own men."

"I know that. Which chamber of commerce doesn't have a large group of swordsmen as bodyguards?" Nangong Shang said. "During the Warring States period, the Bai family's chamber of commerce in the State of Wei alone had over a hundred top-tier swordsmen. My ambition is a bit smaller—after all, the times are different—but a guard force of several dozen swordsmen must still be assembled."

"Naturally, it must be so," Qin Cheng agreed. "After all, your chamber of commerce is not merely about making money; intelligence-gathering must also keep pace. Right now, the military camp lacks desert maps the most. If the chamber of commerce can procure those maps, the day the iron cavalry is fully completed will be the end of the Xiongnu."

"Put your mind completely at ease. Even if I have to risk my worthless life, I will poke a hole in the sky for the Xiongnu," Nangong Shang said, a burning light flashing in his eyes.

"With those words from you, that's enough," Qin Cheng smiled.

At that moment, Bai Xinxin finished brewing the tea, and little Rong'er served a cup each to Qin Cheng and Nangong Shang. While Qin Cheng and Nangong Shang had been talking, Bai Xinxin, entirely focused on brewing the tea, had not once looked up, even though the content of their conversation would have seemed explosive to any outsider.

"Fine tea!" Nangong Shang praised.

"You should say fine tea-making skill," Qin Cheng corrected.

The two men burst into hearty laughter, prompting even Bai Xinxin to smile with a hint of pride.

"I haven't seen Yue Yi in a long time. How is that fellow doing these days?" Nangong Shang set down his teacup and asked.

"He sustained some injuries during the last expedition, but nothing serious. This time, he was enfeoffed with the rank of Shangzao, and he's currently riding high on success. He is now a colonel as well," Qin Cheng said with a smile.

"That fellow is simply cut out for warfare, haha!" Nangong Shang laughed heartily upon hearing this.

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(Resolutely typed out a chapter right here in the hotel.)