Chapter 3: The Professional Flag Escaper

  The next day in the morning, Ye Zhao arrived at the main hall of the provincial governor's mansion with a sense of excitement and novelty, as it was his first time truly taking office.

  However, all the way he was thinking about preparing a memorial to be presented to Xianfeng, which was a memorial for training three battalions of artillery soldiers. Each battalion had 500 people, including one Manchu Eight Banners battalion, one elite battalion selected from the Green Standard Army in Guangzhou, and one new battalion recruited locally in Guangzhou. Of course, this memorial would have to be presented after some time had passed, so as not to appear that it was his own preconceived idea.

  Three battalions of firearms, in fact, Ye Zhao had no hope for the eight banners, and under the system of the imperial army, it had been peaceful for over 200 years. The bravery of the Eight Banners soldiers had long since disappeared. What Ye Zhao was really concerned about was how to train the other two battalions of firearms into a modernized rifle squad that was as fierce as dragons and tigers. And how to control them firmly in his hands? These were all issues that needed to be considered, of course, first and foremost, he still had to persuade Xianfeng and the big shots in Beijing to agree to let him train firearms soldiers.

  Ye Zhaodu thought this was not a difficult problem, the sharpness of Western firearms was increasingly recognized by Xianfeng and many ministers, and the key to success or failure lay in how to get silver from the capital city. If he didn't need Xianfeng to worry about this point, he would definitely get Xianfeng's support.

  Ye Zhaohad already thought it through, and all he needed to say was that the silver for the Firearms Department could be collected from the foreign merchants, and since he had already persuaded the Western businessmen, it would also make him appear as if he had accomplished something significant as a deputy minister.

  At that time, Wu Jianzhang would directly allocate silver to himself from the tariffs. However, it was not really about asking foreigners for silver to handle military affairs, but rather when collecting foreign tariffs, cleverly creating a name and taking advantage of the differences in translation between Chinese and Western languages, turning normal taxes into "firearm donations" in Qing Dynasty characters, making this tax revenue openly become his own military expenses.

  Wu Jianzhang and other customs officials are used to deceiving their superiors and subordinates, embezzling money for personal gain. As for official business, Wu Jianzhang handles it with ease. Currently, the Shanghai Customs' tax revenue is the lifeline of the Qing Dynasty. With Wu Jianzhang as the "cash machine" in charge of customs, getting silver is a breeze for him. Compared to Zeng Guofan's struggles to raise funds for the Xiang Army, even going so far as to beg and extort from local gentry with tears in his eyes, Wu Jianzhang's methods are countless times more effective.

  Of course, this huge lie must be rounded off, although the Qing government now understands foreign affairs very little, it is impossible to guarantee that one day someone will not turn over old accounts and find out that they have been deceived. When the time comes, they will summon a meeting of foreign merchant representatives, just mention this matter, say that they have collected firearms donations, but the amount is naturally extremely low, and exempt them from other taxes. In short, let the foreigners feel that they have not lost anything. Unless Xianfeng really makes up his mind to do it himself, sends out a wise and capable envoy who can communicate with foreigners, and the customs are very cooperative, otherwise no one will be able to truly understand the cause and effect of the matter, nor will they be able to grasp their own weakness.

  The organization of the artillery battalion should be modeled after the Western military system, but in our own words, we absolutely cannot say that the military system of our great Qing dynasty is outdated compared to the world. It can only be said that the foreign rifle team is well-disciplined and obedient, but it is actually the barbarian's military system that can better restrain the army.

  Lost in thought, Ye Zhaosat in the hall, wondering if there was anything missing in the folded paper. However, Ye Zhao also knew that buying Western guns and cannons like the Fire Brigade could not change this country, it was just a small matter, to truly change this country was to awaken the people from the root, from their thoughts.

  Just as he was getting into a trance, Abu rushed in and said, "Congratulations to the master for his good fortune. Today, early this morning, we caught the fugitive who has been on the run for over a year!"

  Ye Zhao couldn't help but feel a little curious. What was meant by "deserting the flag" was that someone had privately left the city more than ten miles away, and deserting the flag for over a year? That really didn't want to come back.

  Abu presented another document and reported: "The person who offended the gods, a man from the Bordered White Banner, has escaped for the third time. According to the law, he should be banished to Heilongjiang as a slave!"

  Ye Zhao took the document and glanced at it, then sat up straight. This guy is quite interesting! The first time he escaped from the flag was when he partnered with a Han person to do business, but after three months, he lost all his capital and had to return to the flag city to receive punishment; the second time he escaped from the flag was right after he was promoted to Xiao Ji Captain for his military achievements, but the reason for his escape is unknown; this third and final time, not only did he do business with a Han person again, but he also married a Han civilian's daughter, it can be said that he was extremely reckless.

  The commander of the camp highly praised him, but before the second escape, he was serving in the naval camp and brought only 50 soldiers to defeat Wang Dingfa, the pirate king who dominated the Pearl River, and captured Wang Dingfa alive. More than 500 thieves were scattered, and he also promoted to Xiao Ji Xiao due to his military merit. Who knew that not long after, he started his old business again - escaping from the flag.

  "Bring people in." Ye Zhaoming came with enthusiasm.

  "Bring in the captive!" With Abu's shrill shout, a man bound by five ropes was pushed in before long. Contrary to Ye Shao's imagination, the man was not tall and sturdy, but had a delicate face, only with sharp eyes, revealing an unyielding and indignant anger!

  His whole body was covered in bloodstains, clearly having been flogged, yet he stood proudly upright in the great hall.

  "Kneel down at once, you dare to be so bold! I'll ask Lord Todo to spare your life!" Abbo growled at Shinbei.

  Jinbao, however, tilted his head back, pursed his lips tightly and ignored him.

  "You scoundrel! Kneel down!" Abu was furious and made a gesture for the soldiers to press him to his knees in the hall.

  Ye Zhao smiled and waved his hand: "Alright, alright, you all retreat, and untie him too!"

  Abu hesitated for a moment and then said: "Master, the prisoner is fierce and stubborn, I'd better stay by your side to ensure your safety."

  Ye Zhao smiled and said: "Forget it, I don't believe he can still hold the upper hand, after all, it's just a fleeing prisoner, not a murderer who has taken lives, what's there to be afraid of?"

  Abu hesitated, but ultimately did not dare disobey Ye Zhao's words, and had to help Jia Bing untie Shen Bao. He whispered in Shen Bao's ear: "I'm telling you, this is the Crown Prince of Zheng, if you dare be rude, the entire Cow Record will be implicated, there must be close friends in your flag!"

  Jinbao was taken aback and couldn't help but look straight at Ye Zhao.

  Abu led the armored soldiers out and stood guard outside the hall. As long as they heard any unusual noise inside, they would naturally rush in to protect their master at once.

  Ye Zhao looked at Shen Bao and smiled: "Your superiors all praise you for your literary and military talents, and you have also accumulated military achievements to be promoted to a brave cavalry officer. You had a great future ahead of you, so why did you voluntarily degenerate into being a merchant?"

  Shen Bao pursed his lips and remained silent. Three times he had escaped, originally he should have been sent to Heilongjiang as a slave, and also married a Han woman. But he didn't know how the prince in front of him wanted to deal with him.

  Ye Zhao smiled and said, "Tell me what you're thinking, and I might not punish your wife and daughter!" Although in recent years, intermarriage between civilians and banner people has become more common, with a trend of repeated prohibitions, the authorities have largely turned a blind eye. However, if they were to really investigate, both the banner person and the civilian would be thrown into prison.

  Shen Bao's heart skipped a beat, he had only thought of his own guilt, but forgot that if the superior officials investigated, his wife and daughter would inevitably be implicated. He finally spoke up, his voice a little hoarse, "Your Honor, I have been hiding my identity all along, it has nothing to do with them!"

  Ye Zhao picked up his teacup and took a sip, saying: "Anyone can say this, whether it's true or false, the official will judge for himself. Tell me, why did you escape from the banner? Can't our Banner City accommodate you?"

  Jin Bao pressed his lips tightly together, and after a while, he finally squeezed out a sentence: "I, I can't bear to see their ugliness!"

  "Them? Who are they?" Ye Zhaoyu asked with interest.

  Jinbao tightly closed his mouth again.

  Ye Zhao stared at him for a moment, then smiled and said: "But which commander has offended you? Or oppressed you? Speak out, today in this great hall, no matter what you say, I will pardon your crime!"

  He shook his head like a god of fortune, looking at Ye Zhao's encouraging smile, hesitated, and finally said: "I couldn't bear to see the ugly appearance of our banner people. One by one, they eat the salary of the Qing Dynasty, but look at what they've done? Eating opium, playing with birds and hawks, flirting with prostitutes and raising concubines... Not just Guangzhou's eight banners, Beijing is like this too! Is it worthy of our ancestors? Moreover, Manchu people have been in the pass for over 200 years, why can't banner people and civilians intermarry? What's wrong with Han people? They willingly support us banner people, aren't we ashamed? If things go on like this, I think the Qing Dynasty will be finished! It should be finished!" He became more and more agitated as he spoke, and unexpectedly, all the words in his heart came pouring out.

  "How bold!" Ye Zhao slapped the table, and Abu poked his head out of the great hall, seeing nothing unusual, before withdrawing it.

  Shen Bao knew he was in big trouble as soon as he finished speaking. This Prince A Ge, with a smile that hid a knife, could make you unknowingly trust him, and the thoughts that had been swirling in your mind for a long time would come out without realizing it. But now, regret is useless.

  Thinking that his wife and daughter might be in danger, Shen Bao dared not to be stubborn anymore. He knelt down on both knees and said: "Sir, you just said that no matter what nonsense Shen Bao says, you will forgive him for his crimes. Shen Bao does not dare to ask for more, he only begs you to spare the lives of his wife and daughter!"

  Staring at Shen Bao, Ye Zhao's face gradually warmed up and said: "If you say such rebellious words again, I will definitely want your head!" Speaking from the heart, he really didn't expect Shen Bao to say such a thing, which surprised Ye Zhao tightly, but his face didn't show it. Moreover, he couldn't help but have the idea of protecting him.

  Jinbao was taken aback and looked up at Ye Zhao with a puzzled expression. Had this Prince Ah Ge let him off so easily?

  Ye Zhaolong took a sip of tea and said, "Since you are a hero on horseback, why humiliate yourself by becoming a merchant? I'll spare you the suffering of being exiled to Heilongjiang. It's not because I'm lenient, but rather it's just in time for us to use someone like you. Don't be fooled, soon we will establish a battalion of musketeers among the Eight Banners of Manchu, and you can go serve as a soldier. As for your wife and daughter, put that aside for now, you need to redeem yourself through meritorious service, and during this time, it's not possible for you to see them, or else it will bring harm to them."

  Jinbao was stunned and stared blankly at Ye Zhao.

  Ye Zhaowaved his hand, "You can go down now, I cherish you as a talent, don't disappoint me!"

  Shen Bao stared at Ye Zhao for a few moments, then suddenly knocked his head on the ground four times, causing blood to ooze out from his forehead. He didn't say another word and turned around to leave with big strides. Although he couldn't believe that things would be resolved so easily, if Prince A'ge kept his promise, it would be a great kindness to him, and he could only repay it with his life; but if Prince A'ge went back on his words, he himself wouldn't be affected, however, if he harmed his wife's life, these few knocks on the head were a warning to Prince A'ge that he would definitely fight to the death.

  Jian Shenbao walked out, Abu and others originally wanted to stop him, but seeing Ye Zhao beckoning to him, they quickly stepped forward into the hall, came to Ye Zhao's side, listening to Ye Zhao's low instructions, nodding constantly.

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