This time, Zhu Ci relaxed the conditions significantly, but he was not recruiting people without limit; initially, he only wanted to recruit one thousand men.
Any more than that would be a bit too much to handle; if the Magistrate of Jiading hadn't provided him with a surge of family funds, he wouldn't even have been able to afford this many people.
There was a bit of a commotion during the recruitment of retainers, with many people rushing to the county magistrate's office to protest.
The protesters were mostly young men and a group of not-so-old men; these old men were all over fifty years of age.
In later generations, people of this age would still be struggling in the workplace, with over a decade left before retirement, but in this era, they are already at the age of knowing their destiny.
Zhu Ci's recruitment standards were that he would not take anyone under eighteen or over fifty, he certainly would not take the elderly, the weak, the sick, or the disabled. He had originally intended to set a standard to exclude those who did not meet a certain weight, but he was talked out of it.
The person who advised him was Xia Lei, who said helplessly, "Young Master, if we follow these standards, forget a thousand people, we might not even be able to recruit a hundred."
Zhu Ci could only accept the situation with regret; failing to meet the weight requirement meant a lack of strength.
The people he recruits are called retainers, but they are actually his private armed forces; why would he take in those who cannot fight?
However, in this era, most people were in a state of malnutrition. According to his standards, it was indeed difficult to find people; why would families who could afford full meals want to become his retainers?
Zhu Ci regretted relaxing the standards, yet people still protested.
There was no helping it; the conditions he offered were too good. As long as they were selected, their monthly wages would be enough not just to support an entire family, but for those with fewer family members, they could even afford meat!
After the recruitment was complete, everyone was brought to the military camp. Zhu Ci directly ordered the original retainers to begin the registration and data entry process, making sure to record those with special skills as well.
The so-called special skills were roughly things like being able to read over a hundred characters, knowing how to swim, having experience at sea, knowing how to cook, so on.
Because of the rapid expansion, those original retainers had each become a low-ranking official, there were already a thousand people, which was the size of a battalion.
Zhu Ci was naturally the undisputed leader, the force was divided into ten companies below him. Each company consisted of five platoons, each platoon consisted of two squads, each squad consisted of ten people.
With so many levels of hierarchy, there were naturally many officers as well—ten company commanders, fifty platoon leaders, one hundred squad leaders. The retainers under his command were not enough, so they could only be selected temporarily through training.
Fortunately, they weren't assigned immediately, but were instead selected through a military training system; of course, those who were literate could at least directly lead a squad.
After reviewing the list overnight, Zhu Ci arranged everything.
Fortunately, he had the foresight to insist that literacy campaigns and bandit suppression be carried out simultaneously; otherwise, he would likely be facing a headache from a crowd of illiterates right now.
Of course, the one with the most foresight was him; when he first enclosed the camp, he specifically enclosed a very large area, otherwise he really wouldn't have been able to accommodate so many people.
After everyone had been recruited, everyone realized that the most urgent thing they needed to do was build houses.
Zhu Ci had previously wanted to improve the lives of the retainers by building them better dormitories, but plans change quickly; in the short term, it is estimated that only those at the company commander level will have private rooms, while even those at the platoon leader level will have to share a room.
Building houses requires raw materials, he must personally oversee the purchasing, transportation, construction blueprints, more.
In addition, he also had to make trips to the county magistrate's office from time to time to keep an eye on the movements of the Qing Army and the Suzhou Prefect, as well as the reconstruction of the village and the medical care for the wounded.
To Zhu Ci's surprise, the girls he had previously rescued had actually formed a temporary squad, bringing Allicin to go door-to-door to help treat wounds.
It was heard that these girls' techniques were becoming increasingly skillful, they were even gradually able to treat minor wounds or other ailments.
He simply waved his hand to have these girls form a medical squad to deal with these minor ailments first; as for real military doctors.. that would come in time.
In this era, let alone here, even regular armies might not have many proper military physicians, much less a sanitary station or a military hospital.
The burden is heavy and the road is long; day by day, Zhu Ci wishes he could master the Shadow Clone Technique to handle all sorts of matters.
Under these circumstances, he directly handed the production of Allicin over to Xi Zhenliu and the others. The children he had adopted were of various ages, including five who were around ten years old.
To be honest, he was very uneasy about letting such young children handle the firewood and distillation, but these children had all grown up in poor families and had been helping with chores since they were small; they were actually more proficient with wood-burning stoves than he was.
With a shortage of manpower—or more accurately, a shortage of people who could be truly trusted—these children had no choice but to step up.
As for whether the recipe would be leaked.. he wasn't worried about that. Firstly, these children were very sensible and kept their mouths shut, as their leader, Xi Zhenliu would also warn them.
Secondly, if he wanted to stabilize the production of Allicin, a thermometer was an indispensable part; otherwise, he would have to rely on luck alone.
Without a thermometer, one could only adjust the experiment slowly. The problem was that there were so many steps in the process; no one knew exactly which step was causing the problem.
Therefore, Zhu Ci also only instructed the children to first never reveal the formula and steps, second, to keep the thermometer safe, to report immediately if it were ever stolen.
After he had finished sorting through things here, news finally arrived that after the Qing Army had captured Nanjing, they had occupied the area for three days before retreating.
Retreated? They didn't occupy it directly?
Based on Zhu Ci's experience, there were only three possibilities. First, this was merely a feint intended to divert attention from the true objective. Second, the Qing Army only intended to raid and had no intention of capturing the city. Third.. the Qing Army had other motives.
The first can basically be ruled out. A feint is usually carried out simultaneously, after so many days, there has been no other movement from the Qing Army, so it is clearly not a large-scale military operation.
Second, this is also unlikely. If it were the Qing Army before they entered the pass, perhaps they would act this way, but now that they have occupied Beijing and Aisin Gioro Fulin has declared himself Emperor in Beijing, they certainly possess the ambition to unify the world.
Then there is only the third point.. but this third point is the one that is most perplexing.
Zhu Ci sat opposite Huang Chunyao, both of them were silent.
Zhu Ci slowly swirled the teacup in his hands, lost in thought for a long while before asking, "Is there any other news? For instance, who is the leader of the Qing Army attacking Nanjing?"
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: You're trying to cause trouble for me at a time like this? Fine, just you wait. Evil kitty rowing a boat. jpg
Next update at 12:00 PM~
Chapter 61
Although Huang Chunyao was puzzled as to why he asked this, he still said, "It is said to be a Jala E Zhen named Alna."
Zhu Ci frowned. A Jala E Zhen.. How did this bastard get promoted? How long has it even been? It hasn't even been three months, yet he jumped straight from a Niu Lu E Zhen to a Jala E Zhen.
According to the regulations of the Qing Army, a Jala E Zhen has five Niu Lu E Zhen under his command, reaching the rank of Jala E Zhen meant he was already a relatively important commander in the Qing Army.
Tsk, as expected of the male lead, his life is like a cheat code.
However, if it were him, it could explain why the Qing Army had been delayed for so long, it could also explain why he launched a surprise attack on Nanjing.
Perhaps it was to find Zhu Ci.
It seemed that the letter he had sent out last time had achieved some degree of its purpose, but he didn't know if Zhu Ci had done anything afterward.
Thinking of this, Zhu Ci asked nonchalantly, "Where is the Imperial Carriage currently staying?"
They should still be in Songjiang Prefecture, right?" Huang Chunyao said with some uncertainty. "I do not know the specifics either.
Huang Chunyao's friends were not high-ranking officials, so naturally, he was not taken along when the Emperor fled, news regarding the昏君 was naturally uncertain.
Zhu Ci pondered for a long while before saying, "I intend to pay a visit to the Prefect. I wonder if Master Huang would care to accompany me?"
Huang Chunyao hesitated for a moment before saying, "If there is an opportunity, I would naturally want to pay a visit."
Although he was a jinshi, he only had a bit of fame in his home county; to become a guest of honor for a magistrate, let alone facing an official of the prefect's rank.. it wouldn't be easy to even pay a visit.
Zhu Ci did not rush there recklessly, but instead asked Teacher Qiu to help him write a formal visiting card.
The Suzhou Prefect replied two days later, agreeing to his visit.
Zhu Ci had people pick out and carry a collection of valuable gifts over there.
When they arrived there, they saw horse carriages coming and going at the entrance of the Prefect's residence, each carrying a large chest; judging by the condition of the horses, those chests were not light.
After Zhu Ci entered the Prefect's residence, he was immediately ushered into the main hall.
After exchanging greetings, the Suzhou Prefect asked nonchalantly, "What business brings Young Master Xi here this time?"
Zhu Ci got straight to the point: "I have come to ask the Prefect whether the sudden death of the Magistrate of Jiading has been reported to the Imperial Court? Currently, Jiading is leaderless and the people are in a state of panic; they are in dire need of their parental official to come and soothe them."
Pacify? Aren't you doing a fine job of pacifying them?
In just seven short days, you've practically taken control of the entire Jiading. Every single person left in the county magistrate's office is utterly devoted to you, you've gained another thousand soldiers under your command. Do you think I'm unaware of this?
As for the Magistrate's sudden death.. do you think I believe that?
He didn't believe for a second that Young Master Xi actually wanted a new Magistrate to arrive. If someone really did come, wouldn't all the efforts he had made in the early stages simply end up benefiting someone else?
After grumbling inwardly for a few moments, the Suzhou Prefect sighed and said, "I have already dispatched men on horseback to Songjiang Prefecture to report this matter, but given the current instability of the situation, I fear there will be no news in the short term."
Songjiang Prefecture?
Zhu Ci's mind shifted; was the foolish emperor truly in Songjiang Prefecture now?
Songjiang Prefecture is not particularly close to Nanjing, but considering the current situation, it is indeed the safest place in Songjiang Prefecture.
To the east, there is Zuo Liangyu with his "Clear the Emperor's side" agenda, to the north, the Qing Army is watching hungrily; even Yangzhou and Suzhou, being considered the front lines, are not that safe.
Most importantly, Songjiang Prefecture has a man of immense wealth, the Marquis of Huating, this Marquis was promoted by the Emperor despite all opposition. Is there any place safer than this?
Zhu Ci thought of this and asked, "Does the Prefect know when the Emperor's carriage will return to the Capital?"
The Suzhou Prefect shook his head. "The new courier reports haven't arrived yet, so I do not know either. What? Has there been no news from Young Master Xi's household either?"
Zhu Ci sighed and said, "To be honest with the Prefect, I have also sent a letter to my family, but there has been no news so far. I wish to search for my kin but do not dare to act rashly, which is why I sought to inquire with the Prefect. If news should arrive in the future, I will have to rely on the Prefect to send someone to inform me, I would be immensely grateful."
I'm afraid this is something I cannot promise," the Suzhou Prefect said in a gentle voice. "I have also reached the age where I must accept my fate. I have already submitted a memorial to retire, the Grand Secretariat has already agreed. In a few days, a new Prefect might arrive.
Zhu Ci looked at the radiant Suzhou Prefect, unable to connect him with the words "requesting retirement due to old age."
Under normal circumstances, someone of this age attaining the position of Prefect would be described as young and promising, with a bright future; if he performed well, entering the Central Government would be only a matter of time, even entering the Grand Secretariat would not be impossible.
As it turned out, he was now resigning from his post; no matter how one looked at it, it seemed like he was trying to flee.
Thinking of this, Zhu Ci could not help but lower his voice and ask, "Does the Prefect know of the Tartars' movements?"
The Suzhou Prefect immediately laughed it off and said, "Young Master Xi, you must be joking. How could I possibly know the movements of the Tartars?"
He finished speaking and picked up his teacup. Zhu Ci immediately understood and said, "The Prefect must be extremely busy preparing to return home, so we shall not disturb him. We take our leave."
After Zhu Ci stepped out of the Prefect's residence, he glanced at the carriages heading out and made a rough estimate; this Prefect would need at least forty carriages for his move.
And all these carriages were cargo carriages; the carriages for transporting people hadn't even arrived yet. Counting the people from the Prefect's household.. it was still unknown how many carriages would be needed in total.
He walked out of the Prefect's residence, only after boarding the carriage did he remark with emotion, "Heh, a clean Prefect for three years, that's a hundred thousand Snowflake Silver."
“This must be a corrupt official,” Fu Chunsheng said. “He's just a Prefect, where would he get so much money?”
Zhu Ci said nothing, but after returning, he called Li Cheng over and said, "Send a few brothers to go and rob someone."
"Robbing travelers?" Li Cheng was slightly stunned, not expecting that their business had expanded to this level.
However, he had always been completely submissive to Zhu Ci; if Zhu Ci told him to head north, he would never head south.
He immediately asked, "Who does the Young Master intend to rob?"
Zhu Ci said, "The Suzhou Prefect!"