Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 404 Return in triumph

The next day, Liu Ye went to say goodbye to Zhu Dadian.

Zhu Dadian had no objection to Liu Ye returning to oversee the situation. Regardless of rank, whether an official or a military general, the influx of a large number of starving people lacking food and clothing into one's jurisdiction or defense zone was a serious matter. He only expressed concern about the training of the new army and subtly reminded Liu Ye not to forget about it.

Although Zhu Dadian would lose the aura of a major military commander after the war, he would still be the governor of Shandong. The Qiongzhou Camp would still need his support to secure stable access to the starving people of Shandong, so naturally they wouldn't betray him and dig a hole for themselves. Liu Ye, of course, hadn't forgotten this, and had already decided on the choice of the commander of this new army: Su Hongtu, whom he had given the name Su Da Tu.

Besides possessing excellent military skills, the most important factor in helping Zhu Dadian train the new army was absolute loyalty to Liu Ye and the Qiongzhou Camp. They wouldn't be corrupted or lured away by Zhu Dadian's sweet talk, ensuring their loyalty remained with Liu Ye even after Zhu Dadian's departure, allowing Liu Ye to smoothly take over the force. Officers of Shi Ying and Xu Yifan's rank were indispensable after the army's expansion; they couldn't possibly abandon all their duties to train the new army. Among the senior officers Liu Ye knew well, and who possessed both loyalty and ability, Su Hongtu was the best choice. Su Hongtu was among the first batch of tenant farmers to join the guard, his loyalty was beyond question, and according to Shi Ying, he was extremely diligent in training, excelling in all military skills, and possessed both loyalty and ability.

Liu Ye said to Zhu Dadian, "Please rest assured, Governor, I have already decided on the candidates. The Governor's Office only needs to provide convenience for their recruitment and training."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Zhu Dadian was satisfied. "Don't worry, not only will I facilitate the recruitment and training of soldiers, but I will also pay for the muskets you provide in the future. You won't be at a loss."

Liu Ye is not short of money right now. If he didn't need Zhu Dadian's help, he wouldn't have acted as an arms dealer, supplying Zhu Dadian with Patriot rifles. As for the deal with the Guan Ning Army, it was a necessary evil for the sake of strategic resources like warhorses. Fortunately, Zhu Dadian's new army can't be taken away in the future; it will eventually be taken over by the Qiongzhou Camp. The weapons and equipment provided now are, in a sense, for himself. The number of guns and cannons promised to the Guan Ning Army is not large enough to change the situation in Liaodong, and there is no major problem.

After Zhu Dadian explained his side, there was one more person who needed to be explained: Lin Tianming, the Imperial Inspector of Shandong.

After finding Lin Tianming and explaining his purpose, Lin Tianming nodded: "It is only right that you rush back to take charge. Go back with peace of mind. I remember those two things. Once things here are settled, I will rush back to the capital and handle them personally."

Both men knew perfectly well that the so-called "two matters" referred to the operation of the positions of Governor of Dengzhou and General of Laizhou, which were related to whether they could achieve a leap in their official careers. One contributed money, and the other contributed effort; both had high hopes for this matter.

Liu Ye understood, "You've worked hard, Lord Lin."

Lin Tianming gave him a meaningful look. "Still calling me Lord Lin?"

Liu Ye was taken aback, but immediately realized that this was asking him to change his address! However, since the marriage proposal hadn't been made yet, he shouldn't call his future father-in-law "Taishan" or "Father-in-law." He didn't know how people in ancient times addressed their future father-in-law either. After thinking for a while, he managed to say "Uncle."

This is how we address our girlfriend's parents in modern society; I wonder if people in ancient times would have understood it.

Lin Tianming was taken aback, then realized that this meant he had accepted the form of address after the change of address.

"The journey to the capital is long and arduous. I don't want Yueyue to travel with me and suffer. I'd like her uncle to take care of her. She herself is willing to return to Guangdong, so she can go back with you by boat."

Instead of returning to her parents' home, she continued to stay at her uncle's house, which is very close to Lingao. Liu Ye felt a bit pressured into marriage. However, this marriage was inevitable, so she let him have his way.

"Please rest assured, Uncle, I will definitely take good care of Miss Lin."

On the day the Qiongzhou garrison returned in triumph, Zhu Dadian led all the military officers to see them off, a ceremony of great importance.

Liu Ye bid farewell to the generals of Guan Ning Army one by one according to their official rank. When it was the turn of the generals of Guan Ning Army, Wu Xiang reminded him with a smile: "General Liu, don't forget our deal."

"General Wu, rest assured, I will have the craftsmen work day and night to ensure delivery in three months, and then transport it to Dengzhou, how about that?"

"Then we'll trade in Dengzhou three months from now. It's very convenient to travel from Ningjin to Dengzhou by land or water."

Wu Sangui interjected, "General Liu, it's too hot in the south. The horses in the north will become dehydrated and lose weight. I suggest that we raise them in Shandong to avoid wasting these more than a thousand warhorses."

This was a detail Liu Ye hadn't considered. He said gratefully, "Thank you for reminding me, General Wu." He thought to himself, since this problem exists, why not simply station the warhorses in Dengzhou and recruit cavalry locally? The south lacks horses, and there aren't many people who know how to ride them, so the manpower pool is definitely not as good as in the north.

After bidding farewell to the military officers, Liu Ye called Su Hongtu over and instructed him, "Hongtu, this time I'm leaving you in Shandong to train the new army. You must obey Governor Zhu's arrangements, but also remember not to forget your roots..."

Su Hongtu nodded vigorously: "Please rest assured, General, I will always be your soldier." Liu Ye had already explained to him the arrangements for leaving him behind. Although Su Hongtu was a blacksmith by trade and only learned to read after joining the army, he was rough on the outside but very clear in his heart: the general trusted him and arranged for him to train troops for the Shandong governor. Moreover, these troops had to be firmly controlled and not become the governor's standard battalion. In the future, if there was an opportunity, they could return to the Qiongzhou camp and use Zhu Dadian's territory, manpower, and resources to train troops for the Qiongzhou camp.

Liu Ye nodded in satisfaction: "I trust you. Come, come with me to see Lord Zhu."

Upon arriving in front of Zhu Dadian, Liu Ye introduced him, saying, "Governor, this is one of the most outstanding officers in our army. He started as a blacksmith and rose through the ranks from a lowly soldier to an officer. Originally, he knew nothing but strength, but now he can fight, train troops, and is literate and arithmetic-ready. Now, let him follow the governor and help the governor organize and train the new army."

Su Hongtu knelt down and bowed, saying, "This humble servant greets the Governor."

Zhu Dadian's eyes lit up upon hearing Liu Ye's introduction. Coming from humble beginnings and a poor family, he was easy to win over; offering him benefits was all it took. Having risen from a common soldier to an officer, and even possessing considerable military skills—including literacy and arithmetic—he demonstrated strong ambition, good comprehension, and talent. Such a person was far superior to the sons of hereditary military officers; at least he wasn't a mere armchair strategist like Zhao Kuo, nor a useless bum without the support of his ancestors.

Looking at the other man's robust physique and honest face, Zhu Dadian grew increasingly impressed and took the initiative to ask, "Stand up and answer me. What's your name?"

Su Hongtu stood up, scratched the back of his head sheepishly, and grinned, "My father originally gave me a random name, Su Thigh. Later, the general felt that since I was now an official, it wasn't appropriate to keep that name, so he gave me a new name, Su Hongtu."

"Su Datui? Is it 'Da' as in 'big' or 'big ...? Zhu Dadian stroked his beard and laughed. "That's a down-to-earth name, but the name your general gave you is quite elegant. From now on, I'll call you Hongtu! I'll govern the country, and you'll lead the troops. Together, we'll make something of ourselves in Shandong, hehe..."

Liu Ye and Su Hongtu laughed along with Zhu Dadian, much to Zhu's delight. Su Hongtu's smile appeared honest and simple, but a sly glint appeared in his eyes. He understood the governor's appreciation and favor, and knew he would inevitably have to feign loyalty in the future. However, he had to uphold his principles; he might have to deceive the governor when necessary.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Liu Ye led his men onto the ship and embarked on their journey home. The massive fleet left Dengzhou Wharf and set sail.

Lin Shiyue noticed there was another woman on the boat and found her quite pretty, perhaps even prettier than herself. The young lady was very unhappy. He'd come all the way from Shandong and brought back yet another woman; he already had several concubines before even getting married. What a lecherous scoundrel!

Compared to when they arrived, this time there were nearly ten thousand more starving people. The starving people needed a peaceful and prosperous land, and Lingao also needed these laborers and soldiers. The fleet, carrying the expectations and dreams of the starving people, sailed towards Bofu Port, which was already prepared to welcome them.