Chapter 84

In the late spring and early summer, under the scorching sunlight,

the captives, with their heads and faces covered in dust and blood, huddled together in groups, dully awaiting their fate. The groans of many wounded had completely ceased.

As trophies of war, the captured weapons, armor, flags, and drums, though mostly broken, were still sorted by type and loaded onto large carts, ready to be sent to Guangzhou.

Among them were over a hundred relatively intact muskets, but after a thorough inspection, I was thoroughly disappointed.

Compared to the samples obtained from the cavalry escort, these were even worse, crude and heavy with inconsistent calibers. Not to mention the rough and shoddy surface treatment of the metal, most of them still used matchlocks, and it was a miracle that they could fire on the battlefield due to poor maintenance and rust-prone parts.

The gunpowder they used was stored in large ox horns, with coarser grains and more impurities, and the uneven large particles could be rubbed out by hand.

The accuracy and range of such weapons were predictable. It seemed that the development of firearms in the Southern Dynasty was also uneven, which was why they had not yet become a decisive force on the battlefield, gradually replacing crossbows. Most of the time, they were assigned to defensive roles or played a limited role of firing no more than three shots in battle.

I could only feel somewhat depressed and return to my work on improving and adjusting the flintlock pistols, while also dragging Bao Tou and Yuwen Luoluo into it, making them get used to and like these powerful firearms, which had a significant recoil for girls.

However, there were gains and losses. In exchange for the loss of over a dozen men and the injury of several others, we assisted the government troops in defeating this band of rebels and became honored guests to some extent.

Although the Southeastern Pacification Commission and the local governor of Dongjiang County, Heyuan Prefecture, had no jurisdictional relationship and no daily interaction, they still extended the utmost courtesy based on the prominent status of Lady Chen and the combat performance of the cavalry escort.

With the unexpected participation in the battle as a footnote and endorsement, we seemed to gain a sudden surge in popularity and reputation.

The number of recruits and followers we recruited on the spot reached over three hundred, all selected from the strong and skilled among the refugees who followed us, divided into two groups.

One group was specifically responsible for taking care of the livestock and providing logistical support to the cavalry escort, led by Feng Juanqi and a small team of brothers, divided into groups of ten. The other group, based on their professions, provided labor and services to us non-combatants, led by Bo Fu and four others.

Then, Han Liangchen, as the sole supervisor, oversaw and monitored both groups. Under the banner of Lady Chen, the雏形 of a small group was basically formed, though it was not yet entirely reliable.

As a member of a princely family, especially an heir of a large fief like Baye, I could legitimately maintain a certain number of retainers for daily life, travel, and protection.

Just like in the future, after arriving in Guangzhou, we might have to disband them, but I could also retain a part of them after evaluation, under the name of my private retainers, to serve as a reserve or a peripheral force.

However, this was not enough.

This time, apart from those who died in battle, were injured, or ran away, there were still over a thousand relatively intact captives, including some veterans and officers. I could not help but have ideas about them.

But I had to get through the current hurdle first.

In the luxurious mansion provided by the prefectural office as a guesthouse, the main members of this journey gathered together because of my sudden revelation of my true identity.

"You are the eldest son of the Luo family of the Southern House of Borneo, a clerk in the Ministry of War's Department of Military Affairs, and an external commissioner of the Four Seas Guard..."

This was my, or my predecessor's, title: a clerk in the Ministry of War's Department of Military Affairs. It sounded impressive, but without specifying a specific duty, it was just a routine position for a princely family member with a certain status.

However, as the largest and most mysterious powerful department in the Southern Dynasty—the Four Seas Guard—it was enough to make people uneasy, even at Lady Chen's level.

Of course, the position of external commissioner was given to me as a trade and compensation, or a kind of limited amulet, after the Four Seas Guard intervened in my lecture society.

"You really kept it well hidden, and you made me suffer so much..."

Yuwen Luoluo pretended to be furious, speaking up for me.

"Having traveled together, I couldn't explain my duties, which indeed failed to live up to Lady Chen's trust..."

I looked at her with some regret and then bowed to Lady Chen.

"Early on, I didn't know that Lin Sheng, no... Luo Sheng, was so extraordinary..."

After the initial surprise, she seemed unperturbed.

"Turns out you are a talented young man with a mission from the court..."

"I am truly unworthy of such praise..."

"I have no reason to blame you, but rather, I am even more delighted..."

She took a sip of tea and smiled faintly.

"After all, Lin Sheng has already shown us great kindness..."

"Throughout this journey, we have relied more on your strategic prowess..."

"I have never had the chance to repay you. In the end, I and my husband are the ones who should feel ashamed..."

She truly lived up to her status as the spouse of a high-ranking official, quickly adjusting her mindset and adopting the most appropriate response.

"Please rest assured, Lady Chen..."

I also made a sufficient statement to address her potential concerns about my changed identity.

"Regardless of how my identity changes, my commitment remains the same..."

"I am deeply moved. May I, with some audacity, call you 'Little Brother'?"

She seemed touched and suddenly stood up.

I was taken aback. What did she mean? Yuwen Luoluo kicked me from the side. Thus, amid a chorus of congratulations, I became her newly adopted younger brother.

At the same time, in the temporary camp of the government troops outside the city, a visitor arrived.

This was a rotating marine unit returning to the mainland for rest and reorganization, which happened to be called upon by the local prefecture to deal with the unrest. The leading officer, surnamed Gu, somewhat inexplicably faced Feng Juanqi, who had come to visit.

"Do you know that my lord is a prince of the Borneo fief?"

Feng Juanqi said with a pretense of reserve.

"Long admired, deeply grateful for your assistance."

Gu, the officer, politely clasped his hands.

"Is there anything we can do to help?"

"My lord has sent me to discuss a business deal."

Feng Juanqi continued.

"The military camp is a humble place, not suitable for business..."

Gu, the officer, was taken aback and somewhat suspicious.

"Nothing else, just that we are in need of some laborers for mining and excavation..."

Feng Juanqi smiled cunningly.

"My lord has noticed that your captives include many strong and able-bodied men. Could we perhaps purchase a few?"

"This might be difficult..."

Gu, the officer, immediately showed a troubled expression.

"It's a matter of..."

His words were cut off by a piece of paper that slid across the table. It was neither too large nor too small, about three fingers wide and a palm long, with a thick texture and adorned with intricate patterns and a number.

Gu, the officer's breathing became rapid, and his eyes could not look away.

This was a special promissory note with the mark of Datong, representing a thousand strings of cash, issued by one of the few major money houses in the Southern Dynasty. It was provided from Yuwen Luoluo's private stash.

Compared to the land-based troops, Gu, the officer, was not a mere corrupt and incompetent official, nor had he completely lost his ambition and ideals in the peaceful years. However, he was still stunned by the generosity of this offer.

This amount represented the value of a medium-sized mansion in the寸土寸金 (highly valuable) Guangzhou or at least half a manor outside the city.

"This is a token of my lord's gratitude to your soldiers..."

"Besides, the report has not yet been submitted..."

Feng Juanqi lowered his voice, like a gentle temptation.

"It's just a matter of striking a few names off the list..."

"Just report them as having died of severe injuries or escaped on the way. Who would speak up for these rebels?"

After a long pause.

"Lord Luo's public-spiritedness is commendable. I believe everyone would be willing to accept this good deed..."

After being politely escorted out by Gu, the officer, who was now smiling, Feng Juanqi let out a heavy sigh. He had finally managed to complete the task, though he had a subconscious feeling that this was a form of a pledge of allegiance.

Thus, under the fearful gazes of the captives, through accusations and revelations, about a hundred men, mainly leading non-commissioned officers and veterans, were selected and taken into a forest, never to return.

In the report to Guangzhou, several names were omitted. They were reported as having died of severe injuries or escaped on the way, and no one would care about these minor details.

According to the plan, they would be sent to Jieshi Bay in Lufeng under the guise of indentured servants, transported to Jilong Mountain in Yizhou by Yuwen family's merchant ships, marking the first step in our collaborative project.