Chapter 58

Tang Bi arrived at the entrance of the Zhang family's small courtyard. The scene from a month ago was still vivid in his mind. That resolute young man had faced the hundred-household official and, in a bold and audacious move, held the official's son hostage, forcing the official to bow down!

That madness and that arrogance were still fresh in Tang Bi's memory. From that moment on, he knew this young man was someone special. If he could get through this challenge, he would surely rise to prominence in the future.

Tang Bi had thought this before, even though he had already given Zhang Ke a high regard, the reality still far exceeded his expectations. In just one month, the young man had become the candidate for the defense of Dachen Fort, his superior, and the speed of his rise was truly unbelievable!

Tang Bi shook his head, straightened his clothes, and respectfully knocked on the door.

"Lord Zhang, this subordinate requests an audience!"

Before Tang Bi's words had even faded, Ma Biao ran over with a smile. "Is it Lord Tang? Please come in, the lord has been waiting for you!"

Tang Bi stepped into the room and saw Zhang Ke sitting behind a simple desk, a large stack of household registers in front of him, reading carefully.

"Lord, your diligence in official duties is truly admirable."

"Ha ha ha, Lord Tang, you are too polite. I know nothing about civil administration, but I have to take on this responsibility. I can't just be a blind man. In the future, the governance of Dachen Fort will rely heavily on your help. If I do anything wrong, please feel free to point it out!"

Zhang Ke's words were not just polite. He had originally planned to start with He Bay Village, gaining experience before moving on. However, Wang Huazhen directly handed Dachen Fort to him. This was indeed a heavy burden, but Zhang Ke had to grit his teeth and bear it. After all, the stronger his power, the better. Even if it meant choking, he couldn't starve!

"Lord Tang, I have suggested to Lord Wang Huazhen that you be promoted to deputy thousand-household, to be my assistant."

"Thank you, Lord, for your favor. This subordinate will do his utmost to serve you!"

Tang Bi had been stuck in the position of town pacification for over ten years, unable to advance. Now, with just one word from Zhang Ke, he skipped the rank of hundred-household and became a deputy thousand-household. How could he not be overjoyed! At the time, he had even thought of making Zhang Ke a household servant, but now he realized how presumptuous that was!

Tang Bi bowed and said, "Lord Zhang, the duties of a thousand-household mainly involve military and civil administration, which are not too demanding. Lord Sun has been practicing non-action for many years, and Dachen Fort has been relatively peaceful! However, this subordinate believes that with your youth and the high regard of your superiors, you should reform the corrupt practices and achieve great things!"

Zhang Ke understood that Tang Bi's words about Lord Sun's non-action were polite. In reality, it meant he was doing nothing! Fortunately, the old man still had some conscience and helped Zhang Ke protect Dachen Fort. Wang Huazhen had already submitted a petition for Sun Youguang to take over Xu Bangyan's position as deputy commander.

However, this deputy commander was different from Xu Bangyan's. It no longer had the power to command the military, just a position for receiving a salary. But Sun Youguang was already very satisfied. He was old and in poor health, and a two-rank promotion was more than enough.

Zhang Ke smiled. "Lord Tang, I am not a troublemaker, but these are troubled times. The Tartars have just invaded, and the Eastern Tartars are restless. For the sake of our official positions and our lives, we must work hard!"

"Lord, you are right. This subordinate will remember."

"The State of Qin emphasized agriculture and warfare to establish the country. Our dynasty has set up the Nine Border Garrisons for farming and defense. I have just checked, and Dachen Fort has over 70,000 acres of cultivated land, and if we include the wasteland, it exceeds 100,000 acres. However, even with the 1,000 people from He Bay Village, the total population is less than 3,500. The land is vast and sparsely populated, making it suitable for farming and increasing food production. I plan to start a major effort in the spring. What do you think, Lord Tang?"

Tang Bi hurriedly smiled. "Lord, what you say is certainly correct, but there is one inconvenience."

"Lord Tang, please speak directly."

"There are three major challenges to farming. First, the Tartars and bandits often raid, and the people's hard work often yields nothing, leading to a loss of morale. Second, the tools, seeds, and oxen needed for farming require money, without which it cannot be done. As for the third point, well, it is..."

Tang Bi hesitated, and Zhang Ke laughed. "It is the excessive exploitation by officials. Once the people have land, they must bear labor and military service, and the numerous taxes imposed by the government can drive them to ruin, even to the point of losing their homes and families!"

Tang Bi said awkwardly, "Lord, you are wise!"

Zhang Ke walked around the room a few times, then smiled. "Lord Tang, I will find ways to solve these problems. Please draft a plan for farming, detailing the people, resources, and land available in Dachen Fort. Be prepared for any eventuality. Once the official appointment comes, we will take immediate action!"

Tang Bi was not yet forty, in the prime of his life, and eager to achieve something. Although farming was challenging, Zhang Ke had Wang Huazhen's support and a highly combat-effective force. The hundred or so Tartar heads could not be faked!

He still remembered clearly that just two days ago, two horse-drawn carriages had arrived from He Bay Village, filled with human heads. Wang Huazhen personally went out to watch, and the Jin Yi Cang General Zhou Xiong and the Guangning Commander Sun Degong marveled at the sight!

Upon inspection, there were ninety-three genuine Tartar heads, no fakes!

So many Tartar heads, even a small fort like Dachen Fort, let alone thousands of soldiers from the Ming Dynasty, might not have been able to achieve this.

The people were overjoyed, clapping and cheering. Even Sun Degong, who had always looked down on Zhang Ke, had to收敛 his arrogant attitude. In the military, strength comes first, and the ability to kill so many Tartars would earn respect anywhere!

Wang Huazhen was even more delighted. With these heads, everyone's mouths could be shut, and no one would dare to criticize him. Instead, they would praise and commend him.

In a rare moment of excitement, Lord Wang personally toasted Zhang Ke three times and promised the people of Dachen Fort that he would recommend Zhang Ke for the position of defense.

Wang Huazhen then returned to Guangning with the heads, reporting his achievements to the court.

The people of Dachen Fort knew that Zhang Ke had saved them and was now their leader. They knelt in a large group, bowing and thanking him. The scene was truly spectacular!

Tang Bi could confidently say that Zhang Ke's prestige among the people was unprecedented. Following such a young man indeed promised a bright future.

Tang Bi smiled. "Lord, I will prepare immediately. The information in these household registers is often inaccurate. I plan to visit each household to get a clear picture. I will present the plan to you in a month."

"Good, Lord Tang, you are indeed meticulous!"

Tang Bi was about to leave but suddenly stopped.

"Right, Lord, I forgot to mention one thing."

"What is it?"

"Lord Sun is preparing to leave for Yizhou, and his house will be vacant. Your house is quite old and in need of repair. Why don't you move in?"

Zhang Ke looked up at the low ceiling and the almost collapsing mud walls. Indeed, it was time for a change!

"Ha ha ha, thank Lord Sun for his kindness, but the official appointment will take two months, at least one month. It's almost the New Year. If I move in now, will Lord Sun have to suffer outside?"

"Lord, you are right, but this place is too simple. As a newly appointed defense, you will have to entertain guests during the New Year. You need a decent house!"

Actually, Zhang Ke didn't mind, but thinking of his mother, Xiaoxue, and his sister Hui'er, he couldn't bear to see them suffer.

"Let's do this. Wan Baiquan is dead, so let's buy his house."

Tang Bi immediately smiled. "Wan Baiquan's house is indeed nice. He committed many crimes, and it would be a way for him to atone if you take his house. There's no need to pay for it. I will drive the Wan family out!"

"Ha ha ha, no need for that. If it weren't for Wan Baiquan forcing me to repay my debt, there might not be a Zhang Ke today."

Saying this, Zhang Ke took out a silver ingot from his pocket and smiled. "This is twenty taels of silver, to settle the matter with the Wan family!"

Wan Baiquan's house was worth far more than twenty taels, but Zhang Ke was giving them some money to survive, so they wouldn't starve. In Tang Bi's view, one person's crime should not affect the whole family, but since Zhang Ke had spoken, he had to follow.

After Tang Bi left, the sick Wan Anliang was driven out of his home the next day. A broken ox cart carried the Wan family of over ten people, who were wiping their tears as they left Dachen Fort.

The house was renovated for two days, looking brand new. Shen Shi and Xiaoxue returned from He Bay Village and were surprised by the new house.

"Ke'er, this house is too big. I'm not used to it. I want to go back to our old house!"

Xiaoxue tightly held Shen Shi's hand. "Ke-ge, I, I'm afraid of getting lost. I'll follow Mother!"

Zhang Ke smiled and playfully pinched Xiaoxue's nose. "It's just a three-compound courtyard. Our little Xiaoxue can't get lost?"

"I'm just a silly girl!"

"Ha ha ha, Mother, I know you are attached to the old house left by Father. Don't worry, we'll spend this winter here. Next year, I'll renovate the old house, and we'll all move back!"

"That's fine!" Shen Shi finally smiled and happily led Xiaoxue into the new house.

When Zhang Ke moved, Sun Youguang, Tang Bi, and others all came. Even Doctor Zhou and Commander Xie arrived. Commander Xie helped Zhang Ke open the city gates, and he would also be promoted to replace Tang Bi as town pacification. Doctor Zhou was hired by Zhang Ke as the army's physician.

Everyone had something to gain, and they were all overjoyed, as if the New Year had come early.

Zhang Ke stood at the door, welcoming the guests, his face stiff from smiling. Finally, he managed to get everyone inside and was about to enter himself.

"Yongzhen, you look so impressive!"

Zhang Ke frowned. No one except Wang Huazhen called him that!

He turned around sharply and saw an old man in a brown robe standing there, wearing a square cap and thick-soled scholar shoes, stroking his beard and staring at him angrily!

Zhang Ke's mind raced. Teacher! Hong Fuchao!

He hurriedly stepped forward, a smile on his face.

"Master, why have you come? I will pay my respects."

To his surprise, Hong Fuchao did not respond kindly, but coldly said, "Get up, follow me!"

As the page turns, the advertisement begins.

As the page turns, the advertisement ends.