Chapter 28: Unconventional Talent Selection

  In the capital, there were fourteen thousand households in the Jin Yiwei army, but only eight of them usually stayed in the capital. Although the rank of the thousand households was only fifth grade, each one was a figure to be reckoned with.

  Qian Hu Zhou Linbing was the commander guarding the South City, and although Bai Hu Tian Ronghao was mighty on his own turf, in front of Zhou Linbing's mansion gate, he was extremely respectful.

  Tian Rong Hao's mind was racing, wondering why he had been summoned so early. The area under his jurisdiction in the north of the city was still relatively peaceful, and the people below him were behaving themselves. There hadn't been any major incidents recently, and more importantly, the regular silver payments from his side had always been made on time without fail.

  Moreover, after Liu Xinyong's side of the deduction was found out, nowadays all the Lis and school lieutenants hand over the usual silver money collected to him, and then distribute it from there. It's a bit more troublesome, but the income has increased by 30%. In other words, the amount of silver handed over to Zhou Linbing has also increased significantly.

  Apart from these, what else did he do wrong? In the living room of the Zhou Mansion, Tian Ronghao's face was extremely respectful, but his heart was constantly pondering.

  If everything is normal, what's the hurry to rush over on a cold winter morning? Just as he was thinking this, a sturdy-looking man of medium height walked out. Tian Ronghao hastily paid his respects and addressed him as Lord Zhou.

  Zhou Linbing is a genuine and authentic brocade-clad imperial guard family, it is said that his ancestors followed Chengzu Zhu Di on several occasions to go out of the pass, sacrificing their lives to fight for their children and grandchildren, and have been passed down in Beijing for nearly two hundred years, with complex relationships, considered to be native snakes.

  This familiar joint, the door head is a familiar role, even if it's the commander of the Brocade Guard, they have to be polite and give some face.

  Zhou Lin's face was covered with a thick beard, his eyes gleaming like a leopard's, but when he spoke, his voice was warm and gentle. As soon as he entered the living room, he smiled and said:

  "Come on, Old Tian, take a seat! Why are you still standing? Hurry up and sit down!!"

  Shangguan's politeness made Tian Ronghao even more nervous, his buttocks half-sitting on the chair. Zhou Linbing had a gentle expression on his face, but in his heart, he was secretly laughing. This Tian Ronghao's old man was a house slave who relied on his master to gain status, and as for his son, he couldn't escape that kind of behavior either.

  But he spoke in a gentle tone, repeatedly calling out:

  "Today's busy greeting, Old Tian hasn't had breakfast yet, right? Luckily, I haven't eaten either. Come on, come on, let's have some butter tea together..."

  Tian Ronghao's back was already drenched with cold sweat, and his panic grew even more intense.

  "Lao Tian, I heard from the brothers below that there is a school lieutenant named Wang Tong who is very diligent?"

  After drinking the oil tea, Tian Baiwu heard his superior's inquiry and was surprised in his heart, but his face didn't show any fluctuations. He quickly replied:

  "Yes, this September he will fill his father's vacancy and enter the Imperial Army. He is still young, but he is a diligent and hardworking person."

  In the twelfth lunar month, when there was no need to be on duty at midnight, the Qing Dynasty sent a fast horse to summon people from their homes. Of course, they wouldn't ask such simple questions. Tian Ronghao could hear the implication in his superior's words and had already made up his mind. After returning, he promoted Wang Tong to Xiaoqi.

  "Commander Liu has said many times that in today's sagely and prosperous era, the Imperial Guards are the Emperor's personal troops. We must be especially diligent and when we encounter those who have done well, we should generously promote them."

  "The adults said that Wang Tong, although he had only been transferred for a few months, was well-liked by everyone in terms of his work and personal character. The lower official has already prepared to promote him as a small flag."

  Even if he's not prepared, he should say he is. That kid helps his old man sweep the floor every day and gives himself a large sum of money, so he's quite a considerate person. After the new year, this matter will be settled.

  It seems that Wang Tong and some eunuch have an old relationship, which might be true. Tian Baihu scolded in his heart, if you had this relationship, why didn't you say it earlier, making me embarrassed.

  Upon hearing Tian Ronghao's promise, Qian Hu Zhou Linbing did not nod his head, but instead let out a sigh and said in a low voice:

  "Wang Li went to Macau, also issued by this official, did not expect that this year would accumulate labor and illness, such a talented person just left like this, it's really a pity. When Japanese officials once said to several qianhu, when Wang Li returns, he must be promoted to General Flag in order to reward his diligence."

  Tian Baifu could no longer remain calm and his whole body shook as he hastily asked:

  "Sir, Wang Tong is less than fourteen this year and has been filling the vacancy for only three months..."

  The commander-in-chief is different from the small flags. The commander-in-chief is already a role with rank in the Brocade Guard, equivalent to a deputy hundred-household, with real power and benefits, and it's unknown how many people are watching inside and out. Usually, a hundred-household cannot make decisions on their own, only the thousand-household can take charge.

  It is said that among the 100 households of the Second Banner, aside from Liu Xinyong, Tian Ronghao had another vacancy under his command. However, due to the numerous candidates vying for the position, several parties were deadlocked and Zhou Linbang decided to put it on hold. Recently, there have been rumors that this position is being prepared for the nephew of the Deputy Commander (the second-in-command).

  But unexpectedly it was Wang Tong. The officialdom of the Jin Yiwei in the capital is extremely heavy, and their words are always reserved to seven parts, but Zhou Lin's words just now were almost eight parts.

  Tian Ronghao said two sentences, but saw Zhou Linbing's face turn cold and hard. He knew that Qian Hu had a temper and was unwilling to let others go against his opinions. As for the left and right, they were promoted and didn't have much to do with him, let alone Wang Tong, who still understood how to behave.

  "Qianhu said that Wang Tong is diligent and hardworking, his father Wang Li also has great kindness to our army, I will report the promotion documents after the new year."

  "No need to wait until after the New Year's, the sooner the better. Hand in the documents to the official this morning and report to the Ministry of Experience as soon as possible!"

  Zhou Lin's words were as sharp as a knife, and Tian Baihu was completely bewildered. However, he quickly got up to respond, bid farewell, and went out the door, with Tian Ronghao's back already drenched in cold sweat.

  While riding on horseback, Tian Ronghao finally had the leisure to ponder what kind of person Wang Tong was, and how Zhou Linbing, the thousand-household leader, took such good care of him. Would taking so much silver from him bring resentment?

  But then again, he let out a sigh of relief, thinking that his old man and Wang Tong seemed to have a deep friendship, after all, there was still some human connection between them.

  Tian Baiwu was thinking on this side, while Qianhou Zhou Linbing was busy going out at home. His wife brought waist cards and hats while complaining:

  "Chinese New Year is just around the corner, why are you still running around outside and neglecting your family..."

  "What does a housewife know? Directing and instructing Master Liu to finish the task before dawn, can it be a small matter? I have to go and report back now, or else someone will get into trouble!"

  Qian Hu Zhou Lin grasped his whip tightly and shouted a few words, then hastily mounted his horse and rushed out of the door.

  Promotions are something everyone wants, from top to bottom, they're all urging so anxiously. Tian Baihu and Zhou Qianhu, along with various people, are busy running around, but no one bothers to inform Wang Tong even once. As a result, such a joyful event of promotion, not even someone comes to curry favor with Wang Tong.

  Wang Tong and the other hundred or so people were completely unaware of this matter.

  Thank you everyone, tomorrow is weekend but still working, two updates as usual, thank you everyone, please recommend collect and support.