Chapter 74

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Before nightfall, several more groups of local militia were ordered to rush to the scene. The news that the bandits from the Left Fifth Camp in the east might cross the border and invade had made the local landlords and gentry restless. If these bandits were to invade Hubei, everyone would be in grave danger. Therefore, when Mei Zhihuan issued the order, each household scrambled to gather their servants and strong men, forming teams that hurried to the north.

The Tiger Head Pass inspection office was ablaze with torches, and troops set up camps, creating a bustling scene.

Liu Jun had people set up several large pots on the open ground outside the office. The stoves burned fiercely, and the pots were filled with large chunks of horse meat, all from the dead and injured horses of the bandits from the previous battle. Liu Jun had not wasted them, but instead had them slaughtered and brought back.

No fewer than a thousand local militia had gathered, and Mei Zhihuan, along with the leading gentry and County Magistrate Lu, were discussing matters in the official hall. After nightfall, Zhao Cheng, the military commissioner of Hubei and Jiangxia, arrived with a team of his servants on horseback.

Zhao Cheng's office was not in Huangzhou Prefecture but in Qizhou. Upon receiving the alarm, he could not sit still and immediately galloped over. Although he was the highest-ranking military official in the entire Hubei region, to truly defend the eight counties and one state of Qizhou and Huangzhou, he still needed to rely on the local gentry, with Mei Zhihuan being the leader among them. Given the gravity of the situation, he had to put aside his pride and seek out Mei Zhihuan.

Zhao Cheng entered and exchanged a few pleasantries with Mei Zhihuan before his gaze turned to Liu Jun. "My nephew is truly remarkable. It's only been a few days since we parted at Qiting, and you've already achieved new feats."

"Your praise is too much, sir," Liu Jun replied modestly.

Zhao Cheng sat down, his expression turning serious. "Mr. Mei, is it true that the Left Fifth Camp is preparing to invade Qizhou and Huangzhou?"

"It is very likely," Mei Zhihuan replied, then introduced Zhao Cheng to the plans and discussions they had just had. Zhao Cheng nodded in agreement, fully supporting the plan to deploy troops at the border, defend it strictly, and prevent the bandits from entering.

At this point, Lu Jinxin also reported to him about the dismissal of the original Tiger Head Pass inspector, Zhao Dagu, and the appointment of Liu Jun as the temporary inspector. Zhao Cheng did not object, saying, "County Magistrate Lu's appointment is very appropriate. Everyone has seen the abilities of Liu Jiyeh and the Nine-Headed Bird. Having such an excellent young man and his outstanding team guarding this important pass is very fitting."

With this statement from the military commissioner, Liu Jun's position as inspector was secured.

In the official hall of the inspection office in the mountains, a significant military deployment meeting was held, chaired by Zhao Cheng, with Mei Zhihuan, Lu Jinxin, and other important gentry participating. Originally, Liu Jun would not have been included in such a meeting involving the entire military district of one prefecture, eight counties, and one state.

However, now that he was the inspector of Tiger Head Pass and the host of the meeting, and having demonstrated his prowess twice and gained the favor of the military commissioner and Mr. Mei, he was considered a new rising star.

He had a seat at the end of the official hall.

Although it was just a minor official position, a ninth-rank post, Liu Jun was actually very happy. The position of inspector was often looked down upon by many, with little prospect for advancement. But that was for those with good backgrounds, who could pass the imperial examinations and become juren or jinshi. For someone like Liu Jun, with no family background and only a martial student status, becoming a temporary inspector was a great achievement.

By taking this position, he transitioned from a civilian to an official, a step that many could not achieve in their entire lives. Now, Liu Jun had successfully crossed over, becoming a ninth-rank official, the lowest rank, but still an official.

Moreover, in a county, the inspector was known as a "spicy official," respected for his authority, far better than the "bitter official" like the postmaster or the "sour official" like the schoolmaster.

By becoming an inspector, he now had the means to advance.

Furthermore, he had a real territory and his own office. In Macheng County, he was considered a minor but significant official, at least in charge of Tiger Head Pass, which not only guarded the pass but also oversaw the entire Taiping Township, including the Taiping Post.

All of this was earned through his own efforts, but it was also related to the current situation. If not for the large-scale bandit invasion, he would not have had the opportunity to replace Inspector Zhao. Additionally, his excellent performance in the battles at Qiting and this time, along with the support of Mei Zhihuan and the Li family, made his appointment a natural progression.

Of course, the original captain of the Nine-Headed Bird, Li Chunjiang, was a juren and was about to take the jinshi examination, so he could not take on such a minor position.

The meeting lasted for a long time, with Zhao Cheng and Mei Zhihuan leading the discussions and formulating a detailed defense plan for the Qizhou and Huangzhou region. Although Liu Jun was present, he did not offer much input, as it was a matter involving the entire military district of one prefecture, eight counties, and one state, and he, as a minor inspector in Macheng County, could not influence it much.

After the meeting, Zhao Cheng and Mei Zhihuan called Liu Jun over for a meal. During the meal, Zhao Cheng asked about Liu Jun's plans, to which Liu Jun replied, "We will meet the enemy head-on and deal with the situation as it comes." However, he did make a request to Zhao Cheng.

"Although Inspector Zhao Dagu failed in his duty this time, I can see that he is still a decent person. Despite being ambushed and surrounded by ten times the number of bandits, he did not surrender but fought to the end. I would like to request that Commissioner Zhao give him a chance."

"What do you have in mind?" Zhao Cheng asked. He did not care much about the future of a minor inspector, but since Liu Jun had made the request, he was willing to give Zhao Dagu a chance.

"I would like to have Zhao Dagu appointed as the postmaster of Taiping Post. He can take his archers with him and add more. The Taiping Post is responsible for postal communication and is very important. It cannot afford to fail. Zhao Dagu is very capable. Appointing him as the postmaster will ensure the smooth operation of the post, and he can also train the postmen. In critical times, they can serve as a support force for Tiger Head Pass."

The Taiping Post, although just a post, was very important. The Ming postal system consisted of three types: posts, relay stations, and express stations. Posts were further divided into horse posts, water posts, and combined horse and water posts, located at key transportation hubs and major roads, dedicated to receiving envoys and reporting military intelligence.

Relay stations were set up at water and land ports and key transportation routes, responsible for transporting military supplies and tributes.

Express stations were established in every county, responsible for delivering official documents.

The setup was clear and distinct. Posts were generally located every sixty to seventy miles, responsible for receiving and accommodating officials and reporting military intelligence. They were usually large, with guest rooms for officials to stay and meals provided. They also had many horses for military communication.

Relay stations were like fast freight services for transporting supplies.

Express stations were located every ten miles, generally without horses, dedicated to delivering official documents, with foot soldiers delivering the documents and passing them on to the next station.

Macheng County had three posts: Zhongguan Post, Taiping Post, and Tingchuan Post.

Taiping Post was located in Taiping Township, on the main road between Huangzhou Prefecture and Henan Guangzhou. Besides the post itself, it also oversaw eight express stations and one relay station.

Taiping Post had one postmaster, one clerk, thirty-two postmen, and six attendants. Each express station had one station master and five postmen. The relay station had dozens of people.

Under Liu Jun's jurisdiction, the postal system had over a hundred people, all young and strong. The postmen often rode horses to report military intelligence, making them skilled in horsemanship, while the postmen of the express stations delivered documents on foot, making them swift runners.

With a bit of training, these people could become excellent warriors. Since Liu Jun was now in charge of Taiping Township, he naturally hoped that the area would be strong and not fall to bandit raids.

Zhao Dagu was indeed a capable person. If a typical official were ambushed and surrounded by ten times the number of bandits, they would have collapsed with just twenty men, either surrendering or being killed. However, they held their ground and fought to the end, which was a sign of capability. By proposing that Zhao Dagu be appointed as the postmaster, Liu Jun was both compensating him and hoping to use his skills to improve the postal system and train the postmen and postmen into a reserve force for critical times.

The postmaster was a minor, unranked official, even lower than an inspector, who was known as a "spicy official." The postmaster was a "bitter official," responsible for welcoming and sending off people, a job that involved serving others.

However, it was still an official position, even if unranked, at least it was a job.

Zhao Cheng agreed and sent for Zhao Dagu.

"Inspector Liu has just recommended you to be the postmaster of Taiping Post. Are you willing to take the position?"

Zhao Dagu was surprised but nodded in agreement. Being a postmaster, even a "bitter official," was better than being a commoner.

"Thank you, Commissioner Zhao, and thank you, Inspector Liu," Zhao Dagu said gratefully, especially looking at Liu Jun with deep gratitude.

Liu Jun said, "You don't need to thank me. I am now entrusting you with the Taiping Post, the relay station, and the eight express stations. My requirements are clear: you must not only fulfill the existing duties of the post, the relay station, and the express stations, but also integrate and train your subordinates. I hope that in critical times, you can be called upon to fight and become a reserve force for Tiger Head Pass. Can you do it?"

Zhao Dagu, surprised by the young new inspector's foresight, hesitated for a moment before speaking honestly, "The post and the express stations are severely underfunded, and the postmen and postmen cannot support their families, making it difficult for them to focus. If Inspector Liu can help resolve some of the arrears, I will not let you down."

Liu Jun turned his gaze to Zhao Cheng, who smiled, "What use is looking at me?"

Liu Jun smiled, "Commissioner Zhao is in charge of the military and the provisions. You can't expect the horses to run without feeding them, can you?"

"Alright, I will allocate a special sum of silver to help resolve half of the arrears. The remaining half, you will need to seek help from Mr. Mei and County Magistrate Lu, and the local authorities will have to raise the funds. How does that sound?" Zhao Cheng said.

County Magistrate Lu nodded, "Certainly, certainly."

After the meal, Liu Jun secured the postal system of Taiping Township and resolved the arrears. Additionally, he received the reward silver for the bandits he had killed. Zhao Cheng gave three hundred taels, the county provided two hundred taels, and Mei Zhihuan, representing the local militia, provided five hundred taels.

A total of one thousand taels of silver, of course, this was a special case. If someone else had killed a few dozen bandits, they would not have received such a large reward. However, Liu Jun was now favored by the higher-ups and had been newly appointed to Tiger Head Pass. The authorities were counting on the Nine-Headed Bird, a particularly outstanding local militia, to firmly guard the strategic pass of Tiger Head Pass, hence the generous reward.

"Jiyeh, Tiger Head Pass is extremely important, a key pass, the northern gate of Macheng. Your Nine-Headed Bird team has been brought here with high expectations. The sixteen inspection offices are all located at the border passes and mountain passes. The defense plan is centered around these sixteen key points. The sixteen inspection offices are also the sixteen key passes. To repel the bandits, we must first secure this line."

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