BXBX NOVEL Chapter 118 - 97: Recruiting Soldiers and Taking Office
In early August, the appointment from the prefecture arrived.
After receiving his official appointment letter at the Government Office, Sun Siwen hurried back home after a brief conversation with his colleagues.
“The prefecture has promoted me to the county magistrate of Wugang County in Shaoyang Prefecture, and as the county magistrate, I shall be in charge of all the affairs in the county,” Sun Siwen said to his friends after arriving home.
Lu Yuan was slightly taken aback: “How come you’re taking over as county magistrate? Isn’t there a County Captain assigned to Wugang County?”
Sun Siwen sighed with a bitter smile: “There was an arrangement. But the appointed county magistrate, upon hearing that he was to serve in Wugang County, immediately fell ill and apologized to the prefecture, saying he was unable to assume office.
Lu Yuan frowned: “Is Wugang County in chaos?”
Sun Siwen nodded: “I heard that the previous county magistrate and other officials were killed by the Miao People who came out of the mountains two months ago. These chaotic people pillaged the county town for a month before being repelled by the prefecture’s forces.
The troops have already left, and there’s no one to maintain order in Wugang County now.
It’s said that the county town has been taken over by local gangs, local bullies, and those Miao and Mountain People. They fight each other, causing endless chaos in the area.
The officials appointed to Wugang County are all afraid of being killed by the chaotic forces, so no one dares to take up the appointment.”
As Sun Siwen spoke, his tone became very indignant.
He was not only angry at the bandits for their rebellion but also at the officials who, at a time when the court needed them, were too cowardly to fulfill their duties due to fear of death.
Seeing his friend’s expression, Lu Yuan knew exactly what he was thinking and asked, “Brother Sun, are you going to take up the appointment?”
Without hesitation, Sun Siwen replied: “Yes. Although my colleagues in the county advised me not to accept the appointment, saying that going to Wugang County would be inviting death, I believe that during such chaotic times, as an official of the court, if I don’t shoulder this responsibility, who else will?
Should I count on the chaotic people?
People in Wugang County are suffering now, and as a scholar, it’s naturally my duty to save them from their suffering.
I’m determined to go to Wugang.”
The newly appointed County Magistrate spoke resolutely.
Lu Yuan sighed: “There are many chaotic people over there, many of whom are ruthless killers. Even with your official identity, those chaotic people, who have just experienced the chaos and even killed the county magistrate, won’t be afraid of you as a new county magistrate.
With the protection of your official identity gone, what good can you do in Wugang County as a single person?”
Sun Siwen was indeed a valuable friend – honest, sincere, and dedicated to helping others and the greater good.
However, it was precisely because of these qualities that he was bound to face far more trials and hardships than ordinary people.
Like this time.
As the situation in Wugang County was considered dangerous, many officials from the prefecture feared being sent there and losing their lives.
Yet, Sun Siwen was not afraid and was determined to brave the danger.
How many could display such great benevolence and courage?
At this point, facing his friend’s question, Sun Siwen calmly replied: “I’ve thought about what you said. Agreeing to the appointment isn’t just a result of impulsive passion. I’ve carefully considered my decision, taking into account the help offered by the prefecture along with my appointment.
The prefecture promises that if I go, they will provide me with 3,000 silver tales to recruit soldiers in the region, and use these soldiers to escort me to my new post.
The prefecture has given me the authorization to have a force of 500 men. They’ve also promised that I can recommend someone to become County Captain, responsible for commanding these 500 men.
The official appointment letter has already been sent down. All I have to do is sign it, and I can assume my new position quickly.
Moreover, numerous vacant positions in Wugang County can be filled with my recommendations, which will then be reviewed by the prefecture authorities, and those recommended can be directly appointed, regardless of merit.”
Sun Siwen looked at his friend confidently: “I’ve done the calculations.
According to today’s prices. recruiting one soldier requires 20 silver tales for
resettlement, which is essentially a life-saving payment, and a monthly salary of 5 silver tales.
This way, the 3,000 silver tales are enough for me to hire 150 soldiers.
As for the salary, I’ve been teaching in the county town for many years and have accumulated quite a few students and a local reputation. I can raise funds from the local gentry, and I should be able to get a thousand or so silver tales, enough to cover half a year’s salary.”
With 150 soldiers by my side, even if Wugang County is in chaos, there is still a chance to restore local stability.”
In a normal situation, a county would generally have about a hundred personnel, including officials.
If Sun Siwen were to bring 150 soldiers with him, it should be enough to maintain order in a normal situation.
But is this a normal situation?
The region has already entered a semi-chaotic state.
In times of chaos, the local Grass Head Kings often have hundreds or even thousands of followers, wreaking havoc across the land.
How capable are those temporary soldiers that Sun Siwen will recruit, and will they stand a chance against the chaotic forces?
Looking at his friend’s confident face, Lu Yuan knew that this was merely an act put on by the other party to ease his worries.
Wouldn’t Sun Siwen think of things that he himself had thought of?
Despite having thought of these things, Sun Siwen still chose to act like this, showing that he was determined to take up the responsibility.
Lu Yuan sighed, “I have no choice but to admire your courage. Fine, you still have one County Captain recommendation to give, right? I’ve been wanting to taste the life of an official and experience the glamour, you can give it to me.”
“Brother Lu.” Sun Siwen was touched by his friend’s words, but couldn’t help but advise, “This is my burden. You don’t need to go there for my sake.”
Lu Yuan waved his hand dismissively and said: “What do you mean ‘for your sake’? I just want to be an official, that’s all. And isn’t it just a small county full of chaotic people?
I want to see what kind of trouble a bunch of local monkeys can stir up.
Enough talk, where’s the official appointment letter? Hand it over.”
He said this not out of arrogance, but because he genuinely looked down on the chaotic people in Wugang County.
In a small county like that, especially one so poverty-stricken, how many skilled people could there be?
Would there even be a mediocre Jianghu expert across the entire county?
Not to mention the high-end combatants, even gathering a thousand people from those chaotic local militias would be a challenge, let alone their organization and fighting capacity.
In such a place, Lu Yuan’s strength, just below the first-class level, would be enough for him to move around with little to fear.
Seeing his friend’s insistence, Sun Siwen was increasingly touched, and no longer tried to dissuade him. Instead, he took out two copies of the official appointment letter from his bosom: “This is the County Captain appointment letter, in duplicate. You should keep one copy, and the other will be returned to the prefecture to be filed and recorded.”
Lu Yuan took the appointment letter, filled in his personal information, and then handed one copy back to his friend.
“Alright, take this appointment letter and submit it to the prefecture.”
After speaking, he couldn’t help but laugh: “Heh, as of today, I am an eighth-grade County Captain. Brother Sun, it took you five years to attain this level, but now I have achieved it in just one day.”
As the Chief of the military in a county, the County Captain was ranked eighth-grade and was the third most powerful officer in the county, below only the County Magistrate and the County Magistrate.
Such a rapid promotion was simply astonishing.
Of course, as a price for such promotion, one would have to risk one’s life to secure the position..