Chapter 232: Sun Hongye's Advice

He Chunhua was the local chief official, while the Li family were commoners. Although some of their clan members held positions at court, Li Rong himself had no official rank or title. How could he openly defy the authorities? Master He was making an example of him, and all the gentry and influential figures, big and small, throughout Dunyu and even Xia Province, were watching closely.

"Before Li Rong was put in, his sons came to make arrangements," Sun Hongye chuckled. "They donated 200,000 catties of cornmeal and over 100,000 catties of sorghum flour to the treasury. People like Li Rong can't endure hardship in a jail cell. Instead of bribing the guards, it's better to go directly to Master He."

He Lingchuan thought, "Li Shuang isn't foolish either."

Indeed, before Li Rong moved in, the guards thoroughly cleaned the cell and sprayed insecticide. It was said they killed over thirty rats, along with countless cockroaches and bedbugs. Li Rong's spot was the largest and closest to the door, with good ventilation and light, and the bedding was brand new. When Li Shuang donated another five hundred cotton clothes, three hundred pairs of cotton socks, and six hundred pairs of military boots, his father's meals increased from two to three a day, he was allowed alcohol, and the Li family was even permitted to send in food.

He Lingchuan smiled. With Li Rong in custody, He Chunhua had a firm grip on that branch of the family.

"The second major event," Sun Hongye continued, holding up a second finger, "is that with Master He taking office, a total of sixty-six noble families, gentry, and merchants from Dunyu came to present gifts. Each gift list was very long; these lists alone could fill a cart."

His father's heavy-handed treatment of the Li family seemed to have startled the observing gentry, leading them to give generous gifts. He Lingchuan's spirits lifted. "How much did he accept?"

"Master He returned everything; he didn't accept a single item."

His face fell. "Not a single one?"

"Not a single one."

He Lingchuan's expression was blank; he knew his hope for an increase in his allowance was dashed. "These guys can't be so foolish as to send nothing, can they?"

"No, not at all," Sun Hongye chuckled. "Just as the news spread that Li Rong's sons' gifts were rejected and they switched to donating supplies, these people had an epiphany. They converted their original gifts into military supplies and donated them to the treasury, then presented the revised gift lists to your residence. I spent a few years at the Censorate, and it's the first time I've seen pickled pork and vermicelli written on a gilded gift list – such down-to-earth items! I heard the gentry were frantically buying up grain in Dunyu and nearby farms, causing grain prices to rise by half a percent in just two days."

All things considered, grain was still the cheapest option, and donating hundreds of thousands of catties looked very impressive due to the sheer volume.

"Were they sent to the front?"

"Master He had them escorted there yesterday, right after they were tallied." The gifts—no, the donations—were all miscellaneous supplies. Just tallying and auditing them was a lot of effort, but these were precisely what the front lines needed right now.

He Lingchuan murmured, "These gentry really do have everything."

"The third major event follows from the last one," Sun Hongye continued. "The provincial government's inventorying of supplies over the past few days was inefficient, and the accounts were wrong twice. Master He was furious and, citing dereliction of duty, negligence, and incompetence, directly demoted thirty percent of the old officials and clerks in the entire provincial government, reassigning them elsewhere. Such a large-scale change hadn't happened in fifteen years and shocked all of Dunyu."

"The skies of Xia Province have changed; they'd better get used to it soon," He Lingchuan nodded. "You can't build without breaking. Have they all been replaced with our own people?" As the head of a province, He Chunhua had the authority to appoint and dismiss personnel and promote key figures.

"Mo Zhejinxuan, Zhao Qinghe, and nineteen others recruited by Master He from Shihuan City have all been appointed to positions." This team would be He Chunhua's core staff in the short term. "Oh, and Master He also wanted to appoint me as a registrar in the provincial government, specifically in charge of documents."

"Oh? That's not a small official post." His father was even poaching his people.

Sun Hongye shook his head. "I politely declined."

"Why?" He Lingchuan's expression shifted slightly. "You've been idle with me for a long time, without much significant to do."

"It was you who had the foresight to recognize my talent back in Shihuan," Sun Hongye said seriously. "Therefore, I follow you, my patron, not Master He."

He Lingchuan clapped his hands and laughed. "Good, good!" Who doesn't like loyal subordinates?

"Besides, I prefer to build something from scratch; I don't want to just follow routines in the provincial government."

As expected, this young man had a soaring ambition, not the personality for a fixed, clock-in job.

Sun Hongye repeated, "Patron, your seclusion this time was ill-timed; you missed a great opportunity."

"What do you mean?"

"Two days ago, enemy presence was detected north of Wutu Town. When the news arrived, Master He immediately dispatched Zhao Qinghe and Wu Shaoyi to lead troops to attack."

The previous three pieces of news weren't as impactful as this last one. He Lingchuan's heart sank. "They've started fighting already? How many enemies are there?"

"It's said to be a guerrilla unit. Master He didn't disclose the numbers. Zhao and Wu's forces departed this morning." Sun Hongye sighed. "If you had come out of seclusion half a day earlier, this desirable mission might have fallen to you. At least you would have been part of it."

"If I missed it, I missed it; there will be another chance," He Lingchuan said with a shrug. "It seems my father has already planned out how to fight this battle." He Chunhua's first battle since taking office was significant; he could only win, not lose.

"The advantage is ours," Sun Hongye analyzed. "The Xunzhou army broke through Baichegang and headed south, only tearing a hole in General Zhao Pan's front line. They will surely try to capture one or two cities nearby to consolidate before expanding their gains. Looking at the location of Wutu Town, it's already over 150 li deep into Xia Province's interior. That Xunzhou guerrilla unit must be small in number and only capable of minor harassment; their main task is probably intelligence gathering. As long as Wu and Zhao catch them, it shouldn't be difficult to defeat them."

No wonder Sun Hongye called this engagement a "desirable mission." He Lingchuan smiled. "Exactly. When the victory report comes back, we'll make sure to publicize it well." The main reason was that the news of "Xunzhou soldiers having reached Wutu Town" was too alarming. As long as He Chunhua defeated that force, his morale and prestige would significantly increase.

Sun Hongye continued, "Master He has only been in office for a few days, so the news probably hasn't reached the Xunzhou people yet. They likely believe Xia Province is still as vulnerable as before, which is why they sent out this raiding party. We can also take action during this window. If I'm not mistaken, Master He will have even bigger moves planned next." At this point, he changed the subject. "By the way, I also have a suggestion for you, Patron: you can't be without your own people."

He Lingchuan's gaze sharpened. These words truly resonated with him.

"Go on."

"I've observed for a long time that while you appear wealthy and distinguished, you lack personnel you can freely command." Sun Hongye's voice unconsciously lowered. "I've seen so many high-ranking officials, prominent figures, and royal nobles; even a leisurely rich young master has his own set of retainers. You are destined for greatness in the future, but wouldn't it be awkward to have no one at your disposal?"

He Lingchuan's eyes flickered. Indeed, for some unknown reason, the original "He Lingchuan" had no confidantes, only a group of unreliable cronies outside. Ever since he had taken over this body, the He family had constantly been in flux—either on adventures, fighting bandits, or undertaking long migrations—so he hadn't had much time to recruit people. He, always humble and eager to learn, asked, "What are your thoughts?"

"Initially, quality over quantity is key. You can scout them out gradually."

He Lingchuan nodded repeatedly. He couldn't afford too many; his current monthly income was only 150 taels of silver. A monkey and a rock wolf alone could bankrupt him, let alone a hundred more hungry mouths. Since they would be his trusted aides, wouldn't he have to pay them himself? If his father paid, how could they be loyal to him?

"I think Maotao, the bandit you brought from Blackwater City, is good. He's nimble and agile, and he has no connections with others, so he could be one," Sun Hongye calculated. "There are a few skilled individuals in the support army, but ultimately, they are your father's subordinates; it's not appropriate to bring them into your personal guard."

"You mean, select from the local Dunyu people?"

"Patron is insightful," Sun Hongye thought again. This Young Master He was actually quick-witted, far from the rough and blunt image he presented. "A few days ago, when the Li and Zhan families fought, I noticed two individuals in the Li family's private army who were quite good."

"Oh?" He Lingchuan said amusedly. "Where was your attention focused?" While others were watching the Li and Zhan fight for entertainment, Sun Hongye was observing people.

"One of them is called Jiao Tai, and the other is Shan Youjun. I found their skills impressive; one is agile, and the other is powerful. They could easily take on six or seven opponents at the Zhan residence, and what's particularly commendable is that they even blocked several blows for their comrades, showing no fear of injury."

As he spoke, He Lingchuan let out a long "Ohhh!" "You mean those two! I remember them." He had been there too and indeed saw two men beating the Zhan residence guards as if it were a game. They fought methodically and knew how to moderate their blows, unlike the other private soldiers of the Li household, who were merely unruly ruffians recruited from the streets.

"I discreetly inquired, and they used to be border scouts. They were also very capable fighters among the Li family's private army, and others wouldn't dare provoke them. However, they disagreed with their leader. This time, when Fourth Master Zhan's wife died, taking two lives with her, the blame was pinned on that unfortunate fellow, Jiao Tai, claiming he pushed the pregnant woman into the rockery."

Scapegoats, He Lingchuan was most interested in. "Have they all been punished with the plank?"

"Yes, they were. On the very day Master He arrived in Dunyu, they were publicly given ten planks in the government office," Sun Hongye confirmed from his investigation. "After Fourth Master Zhan filed a complaint with Master He, the Li family sent Jiao Tai to the authorities, and he is currently awaiting trial in a detention cell." He shrugged. "Li Zhi and Li Rong will most likely avoid any physical suffering, but Jiao Tai is doomed. It's useless for him to cry out for justice in the cell until his voice breaks."

He Lingchuan rubbed his hands together. "Excellent. Then I'll leave this matter to you. Give him justice, and bring me two brave men."

"Yes, sir."

Sun Hongye smiled and took his leave. He Lingchuan had accepted his suggestion, and he finally had a chance to put his skills to use.

He Lingchuan was also in a good mood. Sun Hongye recommending these two to him meant he was confident he could recruit them. The young man was right; he should have his own wings now.

He had just seen Sun Hongye out the gate and was about to turn back when he saw two figures approaching from the street corner, strolling and chatting. It was none other than He Chunhua and his son, He Yue.