Chapter 84: Intense Reaction

Chen Xie was also a bit dizzy. He had forgotten the sad fact that he was a civilian militia leader. But what should he do next? He couldn't give up halfway, right? "My Great Qing" would come to visit next year, and Chen Xie was still thinking about training his troops. Even if they couldn't defeat a large Qing army, dealing with some scattered soldiers shouldn't be a problem, right? At least let the troops have a long march and gain some practical experience. Otherwise, training behind closed doors without actual combat definitely wouldn't work.

While Chen Xie was still hesitating, Zhang Yao added, "Si Hua, once you enter the military, it's hard to change, and you won't be free to do as you please." This warning was effective. Chen Xie was used to freedom, and becoming a military officer now would be like putting many mothers-in-law over his head.

"Uncle Zhang, can I do it secretly?" Chen Xie looked unwilling to give up, and Zhang Yao showed a puzzled expression. Everyone knew what he meant, "Kid, what are you planning to do? The local garrison is already in a mess, and the Dengzhou camp is a combat unit with nearly ten thousand troops nearby. If you do this, you'll get caught, and it will be very troublesome."

Owning knives and guns was legal, but armor was not, as it could be considered equipment for rebellion. Cannons were even more serious. Even muskets, which were of poor quality in the Ming Dynasty, often exploded after a few shots, making them less effective than knives and guns.

Zhang Yao decided to think well of Chen Xie and said earnestly, "Si Hua, even if there is a way to get Western cannons, it's not a good thing." In other words, "Kid, give up this idea."

Chen Xie was naturally not willing. Without cannons, a pure infantry formation would find it difficult to create a combination of long and short-range firepower against the Manchu, and the army's combat effectiveness would drop by more than half. In real battle, the casualty rate would be much higher. He was also thinking about getting some Congreve rockets, which made it even harder to avoid becoming a military officer.

"Uncle Zhang, I still want to set up an artillery camp. How about turning the militia into a part of the Dengzhou camp?" Chen Xie said, gritting his teeth. Zhang Yao's face immediately turned serious, and he stood up, angry, "Rascal! Nonsense! I'll beat you for not striving for progress." He looked around, found no handy weapon, grabbed the inkstone, and raised it. Seeing Chen Xie kneel down and lower his head without speaking, Zhang Yao couldn't bring himself to hit him, but his posture indicated that he was ready to deal with him.

Just as Zhang Yao was hesitating, Zhou Shi entered with tea, saw the scene, and threw the tray, rushing forward to stop Zhang Yao's hand, "Sir, no! Absolutely not!" Zhang Yao let go reluctantly and sat down, sulking. Zhou Shi, not knowing the reason, didn't ask more and carefully left. Men's affairs, women should not meddle in, which was a basic quality of a good wife. Of course, this was in the Ming Dynasty; modern people don't have such strict moral requirements.

"Si Hua, you came back from America and don't know that in the Ming Dynasty, civil officials are valued more than military ones. Once you enter the military, even if you become a general, you still have to kneel before the governor. Why make yourself lowly?"

This was heartfelt advice. How low were the Ming Dynasty's military officers? Take Qi Jiguang as an example. At the height of his power, he referred to himself as "a dog at the door" in his letters to Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Yao helped Chen Xie up and said gently, "Si Hua, the expansion of the militia is limited to 500 people. As for the artillery camp, let's not mention it. Go home and think about whether you really want to enter the military. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

These words seemed not to be a final decision, but they were still a rejection of Chen Xie's idea. The military had no future, so don't think about it.

Chen Xie didn't leave the Zhang family, but went to the guest room and lay on the bed, lost in thought. No one dared to disturb him, and Zhou Shi would definitely be informed. At this moment, Chen Xie's mood was very complex. Zhang Yao was doing it for his own good, and at least for the next ten years, civil officials would still dominate. In the short term, it was unlikely that he could become a warlord. Without Zhang Yao's support and recognition, it would be very difficult for Chen Xie to become a military officer. His current status largely depended on the Zhang family. If this relationship broke, the red-eyed people in Dengzhou would pounce and bite him. At that time, even the commercial alliance might not be able to help much.

Realizing that he was still essentially weak, Chen Xie felt a bit disheartened. He had worked hard for almost a year, but he was still at the mercy of others. Being a landlord and a bully was a bright future. Setting up a militia for protection was not a big problem. But raising an army was a completely different matter, as Zhang Yao's intense reaction showed.

Zhou Shi immediately went to the study and, after dismissing the servants, said earnestly, "Sir, why can't you talk things out? Why did you have to go that far? I was almost scared to death!"

Zhang Yao sighed and shook his head, "Madam, you don't know. Si Hua wants to enter the military, and I couldn't persuade him."

Zhou Shi said, "He already knelt before you, what more do you want?" This was a bit of a complaint, and Zhang Yao understood. He had never heard of Chen Xie kneeling to anyone, and he only knelt to him, even during the New Year, which was different. This was Chen Xie showing his position, indicating that he would accept any beating or scolding from the Zhang family without complaint.

No wonder Zhou Shi spoke with a hint of complaint; Zhang Yao hadn't realized it before.

"Madam, go and persuade him. I fully support the militia, but I absolutely disagree with him entering the military." He was angry, really angry, or he wouldn't have used "I" so much.

Both had bad tempers, and Zhou Shi had no choice but to go and see Chen Xie. Just as she reached the door of the west wing, she heard laughter inside. Standing at the courtyard gate, she smiled and left.

It turned out that Zhang Xin had brought his two younger brothers to see their elder brother, and Chen Xie had gotten up. The two younger ones loved to play, and Chen Xie, who wasn't too particular, treated it like playing with children in an orphanage. So, he took out some glass marbles from his pocket, dug some small holes in the ground, and taught the two younger ones to play marbles.

If someone else, like Zhang Xin, did this, Zhou Shi would break his legs. Wasn't he corrupting his younger brothers? But when Chen Xie did it, Zhou Shi had no temper. Wasn't it just playing? A big guy, to entertain two kids, was kneeling on the ground, not afraid of dirtying his clothes. What more could you want?

More importantly, Zhou Shi saw something rare: a childlike heart!

Back in the study, she told Zhang Yao, making him blush. He had been worried that Chen Xie would be unhappy, but look at him, already playing marbles with his younger brothers.

"Rascal, don't you know...?" Zhang Yao, coming to his senses, stood up to deal with Chen Xie, but Zhou Shi held his sleeve, "Enough, my lord, just let them play for today."

After dinner, Chen Xie went to Zhang Yao's study again and proposed a new idea about entering the military.

"Uncle Zhang, I'm not good at formal talk. In short, you decide. I must train troops, but not too many, just two or three thousand. Otherwise, with such a large estate, I'm afraid I can't protect it."

"Not good. This way, you'll easily be accused of rebellion. Since you have money, you should know that many people don't mind taking it from you."

"Then what should I do?"

"Si Hua, there's a thousand-household garrison near the Zhang family estate. I think the feng shui is good. That's it, don't mention this matter again."

(These dialogues are simplified due to the level of the text.)

Zhang Yao dismissed Chen Xie, who came out confused, unable to understand the meaning of his words. He decided to seek advice. As soon as it got dark, Chen Xie went out, heading to Chunxiang Tower to invite Liu Zhang to discuss important matters.

The carriage had just stopped, and before he could step up, a fragrant wind came. Ying Niang, with a sad look, smiled at Chen Xie. He was shaken and regretted coming here to discuss matters. But now, after the transformation from boy to man in modern society, his immunity was much stronger.

"Ying Niang, it's been months, and you look even more charming. I'm really moved." He threw in some sweet talk, which no woman could resist. To be honest, Chen Xie didn't know if this place was regularly tilled, so he still had some resistance. It's not his responsibility to till someone else's land.

"The great doctor's words are so sweet, but I'm afraid you'll run away when the time comes." She moved forward, holding Chen Xie's arm and leading him inside with a smile. Chen Xie gritted his teeth and followed. A man shouldn't be afraid of a resentful woman, right?

Ying Niang laughed as they walked, "Great doctor, where will you set up the banquet tonight?"

Chen Xie was a bit dizzy. There were many rules here, and he had no practical experience. He thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to your place." Ying Niang gave him a more seductive look and whispered in his ear, "I know you have no good intentions. If it were someone else, I'd break their legs."

As she spoke, her small hand lightly brushed his crotch, making Chen Xie's legs tighten and his anus contract. He chuckled and whispered back, "Are you sure you'll break them?" This made Ying Niang even more confused. How was he like a different person? Looking at him, his eyes were still so pure, saying such things so seriously, which didn't fit the occasion. Bastard!

Her heart fluttered, her legs went weak, and her body leaned over. Many of the guests upstairs and downstairs were regulars. Seeing this scene, they all showed envy and jealousy. The legendary Ying Niang, who had won the title of flower queen in the Qinhuai River, had come to Dengzhou and was determined to be a courtesan, but she hadn't been seen with anyone.

Now, Ying Niang's heart was pounding, her body weak, and she remembered the tingling sensation from last time. The heat between her legs was uncontrollable. Was this reaction too intense? Had it been too long since she had been with anyone?

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(End of the chapter)