Chapter 0009: Punishment and Bribery
Colonel Wu revealed a fierce expression: "Who dares? I will strike him down!"
Difficult to control? Mi Fang felt uneasy listening from the side; why did these words increasingly seem to carry a threatening undertone?
The humble general did not say such a thing. Governor Tao is the leader of Xuzhou and possesses his own capabilities. However, when it comes to military affairs and warfare, General Cao is indeed the foremost in Xuzhou
"Good!" The supervisor continued, "As the military supervisor, although all matters are governed by military law, I also understand the difficulties you face. The generals are out on the battlefield, enduring hardships and risking their lives for the country and the people. If things go awry, it could lead to death in battle. In both life and work, fairness is essential. You have all made sacrifices that deserve appropriate rewards.
Facing the uncertain gazes of the crowd, Tao Shang slowly took a seat and looked around at the others, saying: "I am here on the orders of the Governor, tasked with overseeing the military. I recognize only military orders, not personal feelings. In this western expedition, the commander is General Mi, not General Cao! With the great battle imminent, we must all respect military orders in our actions. I hope you all have a sense of judgment; you need to know who is leading the troops and whose words you should heed"
The western expedition alliance is about to commence. I, Tao Shang, have been appointed to oversee the military affairs and will join all of you at the front lines to combat the rebels and traitors. Tonight's meal, as I would put it, serves as a farewell banquet and also as a gathering toast. I would like to get acquainted with all of you and become familiar faces. In the days to come, we will need to rely on your support to assist General Mi in achieving several splendid victories, so as not to tarnish the reputation of our Xuzhou army... Now, let us raise a glass!
Having finished speaking, the potter lifted a foot and directly kicked over the table.
At this point, if one still does not understand, how lacking in insight must one be? ... What is there to say about the farewell banquet or the meeting banquet ... ! ... It is clearly a premeditated banquet of Hongmen!
"If you want it, just take it! If you don't want it, go get a stick and then keep company with the worthless Officer Wu." Tao Shang said with a smile.
According to common reasoning, the best approach is for Tao Shang and Mi Fang to bestow grace upon them, gradually winning their true hearts over time, using time to enrich their feelings. However, with the expedition imminent, Tao Shang does not have the luxury of time to engage in such trivialities.
The pottery merchant curled his lips and said, "What is the big deal?"
Mi Fang and Tao Shang sat on the main seats, one on the left and the other on the right, observing the generals below, each with their own thoughts.
Everyone has their own integrity, everyone has their own character, but for most people, integrity and character are far less important than having food to eat. No matter how fierce a general may be, he is still human; no matter how reckless a soldier may be, he still needs to support his family. In comparison to the vague and ethereal slogans, money is the most tangible thing. Of course, money cannot buy the loyalty of everyone, but it is not a problem to buy the temporary loyalty of those in front of the merchant.
In his eyes, the potter was merely a child who had not yet shed his milk teeth, while he himself could be considered someone who had killed in battle; why should he fear him
On the surface, each person appears to be extremely respectful, each one more pretentious than the last; however, what they are truly thinking remains a mystery to everyone
Everyone then spoke in unison: "We, the undersigned, are willing to follow General Mi's lead!"
The pottery merchant raised his neck and said: "I am the supervising officer, who dares to strike me? The one who dares to hit me, his mother wouldn't even recognize him!"
On the first night upon arriving at the military camp, Tao Shang met with his subordinates who were part of this expedition, arranged by Mi Fang
Ladies and gentlemen, regarding this expedition against the bandits, I wonder if any of you have insights to share
"Punish the traitors! Swear to kill the national traitors!" After saying this, everyone fell silent in unison
Among the crowd, a military officer surnamed Wu stood up and saluted, saying: "My lord, in my humble opinion, this alliance meeting involves a long journey. Not only does the expedition of the army deplete resources and burden the people, but also, under Dong Zhuo's command are the fierce Xiliang army, the Bingzhou army, and the battle-hardened central army of Luoyang, which are far superior to the Xuzhou army. It would be better to feign engagement with them, observe the outcome of the alliance, and withdraw when the situation is favorable."
This time, the shout was something the potter could discern; it was indeed heartfelt and completely sincere
Upon thinking of this, Mi Fang looked blankly at Tao Shang, only to find that Tao Shang's expression had already turned indifferent
There are indeed individuals who regard money as mere dirt, but they are rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns; the majority of people in society are still ordinary.
The remaining three lieutenants, three captains, and fifteen sergeants all stood up and spoke in unison to express their loyalty: "Yes! We, the undersigned, will only follow the orders of the supervising general and General Mi!"
In a previous life, whenever important positions within the organization were assumed by newly appointed personnel, everyone appeared to be harmonious on the surface, yet secretly they all scoffed at it. This is a common human sentiment; in the bustling world, who among us is not an ordinary person? Those who are not ordinary generally do not survive in this world.
Colonel Wu emphatically stated: "In the event of forced warfare, if the morale of the troops is unstable and a mutiny occurs, it will be difficult to control! This is a significant matter."
Having reached this point in the conversation, which guard would still hold back? One by one, they gritted their teeth and fiercely advanced to seize Captain Wu
The potter kicked over the table and quickly shot a glance at Mi Fang. Mi Fang understood immediately and shouted, "Come here!"
"That is incorrect," the pottery merchant shook his head and said, "I am the military supervisor, not responsible for fighting. The person you need to exert your utmost efforts for is General Mi."
Having said this, Tao Shang pointed at Mi Fang and said: "Your general has prepared a gift for each of you. Each of the lieutenants and captains will receive thirty gold pieces, while each of the major officers will receive ten gold pieces, as a post-expedition allowance. General Mi has also promised that if any of you should sacrifice your life, in addition to the compensation provided for your parents, wives, and children from Xuzhou, he will additionally provide thirty gold pieces. I, the supervising officer, will also guarantee this. With such treatment, you can be assured that you will have no worries."
After a pause, the pottery merchant said softly: "Do you understand what I mean?"
Mi Fang is leading troops for the first time, and he himself is merely a teenager with no experience in combat. These men have been following Cao Bao for many years; even if they are not seasoned veterans, they should at least be experienced soldiers who have faced the Yellow Turbans in Xuzhou. Due to the authority of the appointment, they have no choice but to bow to both themselves and Mi Fang, but this bowing is likely not sincere.
Within the tent, a banquet was set up with wine and food. Four school lieutenants, three district lieutenants, and fifteen district commanders were all seated, making the tent feel quite cramped. People were sitting closely together, and it seemed a bit difficult to find enough space, to the point that when they stood up, they even bumped into each other.
With one on the left and one on the right, they dragged Captain Wu out. After a short while, the crisp sound of rhythmic clapping could be heard from outside the tent, accompanied by cries of pain.
The potter raised his wine cup, and the officers within the account also raised their wine cups in unison
Mi Fang puffed out his chest, revealing a rather provocative expression, clearly implying - I have plenty of money!
The personal guards approached, one on the left and one on the right, each exerting their strength to restrain Captain Wu, dragging and pulling him forcefully outwards
Captain Wu raised his head and stood tall, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Although the Prefect has issued such military orders, those of us in the field are not bound by them. I have followed General Cao into battle for many years, and every time we faced the enemy, General Cao has always provided careful guidance and generous advice! In my humble opinion, this expedition to the west has no chance of success."
Tao Shang smiled slightly and said, "What you say, Colonel Wu, is reasonable; however, when Governor Tao issued the military order for this expedition, it was not under this requirement."
Money is the most mundane of things; it is deemed mundane because it is the most practical for ordinary people
However, the potter did not share his good mood; he was merely observing the few individuals below with a calm demeanor
Captain Wu struggled fiercely while kicking his legs, angrily shouting: "I am the direct captain of General Cao's left army, you cannot do this, you, you, you have no right to hit..."
As the voice fell, all the people in the tent knelt down in unison, shouting loudly: "We, the undersigned, are willing to serve the eldest son with our utmost loyalty!"
The pottery merchant pointed to Captain Wu and said: "Pull me down, impose forty military sticks as punishment!"
The corner of the potter's mouth lifted slightly, these people certainly shouted their slogans loudly
Colonel Wu said solemnly: "If the eldest son persists in his own way, then if he insists on this, I fear that these five thousand troops will perish in a foreign land, which is a minor concern."
Mi Fang is serving as the commander for the first time, exuding confidence and satisfaction, seemingly quite pleased with himself; he embodies the phrase "the spring breeze brings swift horse hooves" in this moment.
At such moments, it is necessary to use a big stick to provide some guidance
"If you do not go out and speak nonsense, how can the morale of the army be unstable?" Tao Shang slowly stood up, his eyes already filled with coldness: "You are a soldier, obeying military orders is your duty! It is your calling! If you are afraid of death, stay at home to hold your child and embrace your wife; why come here to be a soldier? As a soldier, whether it is dying in a foreign land or being wrapped in horsehide, even if you face a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, when a military order commands you to jump in, you must jump in! Talking about avoiding death and fearing strong enemies, how can you still have the face to discuss morale with me? With someone like you around, how can there be any morale!"
"Impudent!" The potter also showed a fierce expression: "Who dares? Who will take those forty military clubs for him! If he dares to retaliate, he will be executed on the spot! If he retaliates and is killed, it has nothing to do with you. If you are killed by him, it will be considered a senseless death in my eyes!"
Upon hearing this, the merchant Tao slowly replied: "Captain Wu just mentioned that military orders may not be adhered to when outside, but do you not understand that military orders are as heavy as a mountain? The orders from the governor have already been issued; how can we not comply?"
Colonel Wu was not intimidated; instead, he raised his neck defiantly
The personal guards outside the camp almost instantaneously entered the encampment, as if it had been prearranged.
After Colonel Wu finished speaking, he observed that the people below were discussing among themselves, nodding their heads in agreement, all expressing their approval
Everyone is human, regardless of the era, and the psychological state should be the same
The potter gently played with the wine cup and smiled, saying: "What a commendable willingness to offer guidance in times of need... According to Captain Wu's view, General Cao's abilities should surpass those of Governor Tao, correct?"
Mi Fang stood up and clapped his hands, and then he saw a row of personal guards bringing several large wooden boxes into the tent. After opening them, the neatly arranged gold leaf inside instantly illuminated the eyes of everyone present.
After a pause, the pottery merchant continued: "Of course, if you are unwilling, then Officer Wu Zhazha will be your example... Choose!"
The onlookers were taken aback, not expecting that this seemingly refined and young young master would have such a fierce temper
The pottery merchant let out a cold laugh: "Are you trying to scare me by mentioning someone? Sorry, but I don't fall for that! Give me twenty more military clubs, hit hard... smash them to pieces! To the point that General Cao wouldn't even recognize the remnants!"
At this moment, Colonel Wu finally became anxious and shouted: "Young Master! I have a heart full of loyalty, you must not harm me!"
Having said that, several guards stepped forward to seize Captain Wu
These officers, both the Xiaowei and the Duwi, exchanged glances with one another, and from each other's eyes, they perceived a profound longing
However, the pottery merchants, while affirming, do not harbor good thoughts in their hearts; at the very least, they are certainly all unwilling to accept it.