Vice Commander Qin had just stepped out of the military office.
Yang Ge turned his head toward Fang Ke, who was standing beside him, "We can’t fully trust this old man. Later, copy that letter a few more times and send them all to the Northern Town Prefectural Commissioner in the capital."
Fang Ke bowed with sincere respect, "Yes, my lord!"
Yang Ge picked up his brush and continued writing the letter, "Someone, call over the Banner General Gu Tong."
The guards standing watch outside the hall replied loudly, "Yes, sir!"
Yang Ge, "Starting today, any intelligence from Jiangzhe that comes back must be copied and delivered to me, including the imperial bulletins from the capital! I want to see them all!"
Fang Ke, "Yes, my lord..."
While they were talking, Gu Tong entered swiftly, fully dressed and knelt down, "This humble one, Gu Tong, greets the lord."
Yang Ge put down the brush, "Old Gu..."
Gu Tong hurriedly responded. "This humble one is here."
Yang Ge, with a smile, waved his hand from afar, "Don’t be nervous, stand up and let’s have a chat, brothers."
Gu was not nervous originally, but upon hearing his words, he immediately became tense, "Whatever instructions the lord has, just give the order. This humble one will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Yang Ge spoke kindly, "I’ve already told you not to be nervous. Stand up and talk!"
Gu Tong stood up hesitantly, with his right eyelid twitching, he hung his head low, not daring to look directly at Yang Ge above him.
Yang Ge chuckled, "Old Gu, you’ve been with me for quite some time now, haven’t you?"
Without thinking, Gu Tong replied, "To reply to the lord, this humble one has been following you for one year and five months."
Yang Ge nodded, "You’ve been with me for so long and are still a Banner General. You must have held some grudges against me, right?"
Gu Tong promptly cupped his fists, "The lord saved my whole family from dire straits and has supported and nurtured me thereafter. Gu Tong is deeply grateful and blames only his limited abilities for not being able to repay the lord’s kindness. How could I hold any grudges? Wouldn’t that be as cold-hearted as a wolf and ungrateful as a dog, completely lacking in humanity and righteousness, no better than pigs or dogs?"
He spat out four idioms in quick succession without even taking a breath.
"I knew it, only our brothers who stir the pot with a single spatula can be truly reliable."
Yang Ge smiled as he praised him, then followed up with, "Now I have a dangerous mission that requires your group to make a trip. If you are willing to go, I can’t guarantee that you all will return alive, but I can guarantee that anyone who does return alive will be promoted one rank. Even if my right division doesn’t have enough vacant positions, I will kneel at the Northern Town Prefectural Commissioner’s doorstep to ensure you get to be an Ensign, Banner General, or a Centurion in other garrisons."
Upon hearing this, Gu Tong’s heart immediately cooled by half.
He might not know other lords well, but he had seen enough of his own lord. If he said it was dangerous... it really meant a slim chance of survival!
However, his lord had put it this bluntly, and with the temptation of promotion and riches... Gu Tong hesitated for a moment, then cupped his fist and bowed, "Please give your orders, my lord!"
Yang Ge gestured with his hand, speaking calmly, "You don’t have to rush your decision. You can go back and discuss it with your brothers first. After all, it’s a life-risking matter. I won’t force you... Anyway, I’ve given you the opportunity. Those who dare to take it can try for a shot at promotion and wealth. Those who don’t dare can just let it be. But if you bring it up later, you can’t blame me, your old superior, for not giving you the chance. Blame only your own lack of ambition."
Gu Tong wanted to say more, but Yang Ge had already waved his hand, "Go and talk to your brothers first. I’ll wait for your response."
Gu Tong had no choice but to bow and take his leave.
After Fang Ke watched Gu Tong leave the office, he said softly, "My lord, why such formality? Let me make the trip personally."
Yang Ge shook his head, "You can’t move right now. Someone needs to watch over things here for me."
Fang Ke snickered secretly, without saying more.
What does it mean to be a confidant?
This is what it means to be a confidant!
Soon, Yang Ge had finished writing a letter, sealed it, and handed it to Fang Ke, "Send this letter through our garrison’s communication channels to General Jiang Kui of Liaodong."
Fang Ke took the letter in both hands and tucked it into his chest, nodding in response.
Yang Ge leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced, pondering what other cards he had left to play...
’Ming Sect?’
The thought crossed his mind but was immediately dismissed by himself.
The emperor and the ministers playing their power games, the rebels getting involved—no matter who won, the rebels wouldn’t benefit...
Yang Tiansheng treated him like his own brother; he couldn’t treat Yang Tiansheng like a sworn brother.
At least until things became irretrievably damaged, people from the Ming Sect could not get involved.
He thought over and over again, growing frustrated at not finding the best solution, and finally, with a surge of determination, muttered to himself, "Damn it, if the court really won’t step up, I’ll don the mask of Jiu Tong and pull together a force in Jiangzhe myself. If I’m pushed to the brink, I’ll take care of the Inspectorate, Ning Wang, all of them!"
He didn’t care what game the emperor and his ministers were playing.
Regardless, he wasn’t going to gamble with the achievements he had made with such difficulty.
He had promised the common folk of Yangzhou that if anyone bullied them again, he would return...
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.
He wouldn’t take back his words once they were spoken.
No one’s face mattered!
A short while later, Gu Tong returned: "Reporting to the lord, I’ve discussed it with the brothers, and our entire company will take on this mission!"
After a pause, he added, "No one else is allowed to compete with our company for it!"
"Good, that’s some guts!"
Yang Ge slapped the table and gave him a thumbs-up, "I knew it, I haven’t misjudged anyone."
Gu Tong bowed deeply, "Our company was raised by you, my lord. Even if we’re shattered to pieces, we would never dare to tarnish your reputation!"
Yang Ge nodded, stating loudly, "Close the gates."
The two guards stationed outside heard the command, approached to pull to the military office’s big doors, stepped back three paces, and stood guard with their hands on their swords.