Chapter 28: Discipline of Profit Sharing

  "A few brothers, don't be in a hurry, I won't just give you land, the money in the warehouse is also yours. But under current circumstances, it's not that once you're given land and silver, you can take them with you. You need to have a life to enjoy them too. From the Chu-Han Contention to the founding emperor's conquest of the Yuan dynasty, every time there was a change in dynasty, it was always a case of corpses scattered all over the fields and rivers flowing with blood. Whoever wants to live a peaceful life as a rich man, may find someone showing up at their doorstep one day, taking away their money, land, and women."

  Gu Zhenhua's speech was not loud, but it was reasonable and touching. Everyone had narrowly escaped death and knew some of the circumstances, so they all nodded in agreement.

  Tang Zhanxiong couldn't help but ask: "Master Gu, you are wise and resourceful, we brothers all trust you, so please show us the way!"

  "That's right, we all listen to Master Gu, even if he tells us to go through mountains of knives and seas of fire, we won't bat an eyelid."

  "Brothers, the current situation is complex and confusing. Let's start with something simple, let's talk about how to divide silver and land, and how much everyone can get."

  Gu Zhenhua took a list from He Zhonghou's hand and showed it to everyone, letting the soldiers take a look. Most of them were poor people, and they were all stunned by the astonishing numbers on the list, with some even drooling. Even Gao Hongtu and Xie Bin, who had been officials and mixed in the imperial palace, were also amazed. More than 20 million taels of silver, 1 million mu of land property, this was simply an astronomical figure that they didn't dare to think about.

  Everyone couldn't help but whisper to each other, discussing it enthusiastically. What a huge sum of money this is! If one could get even one ten-thousandth of it, they would be able to become a rich man, with no worries about food or drink, and it's impossible not to feel excited at the prospect.

  The performance of these people was all in Gu Zhenhua's eyes, and it was expected. After everyone had seen it, Gu Zhenhua smiled and said: "Sixth Uncle did not want to show this thing to everyone, but I think these are all the lives exchanged by everyone, they do not belong to me alone, Gu Mou, they are everyone's common property, who must have a number in their heart."

  "Master Gu, don't say anything else, your sworn brothers have all witnessed it. If you hadn't sacrificed yourself, how could everyone have escaped from the capital alive? As for these things, just give a word and your brothers won't dare to utter half a complaint!"

  The soldiers present were also emotionally excited, and they all patted their chests and praised loudly. Just not far away, there were a few people staring at Gu Zhenhua, including Kou Gui and the Crown Prince Zhu Ciyan.

  Following Gu Zhenhua out of the capital, Kou Gui and the Crown Prince were both very happy, but as for what to do next to run to the south, they were still in a fog, and had no choice but to rely on Gu Zhenhua.

  "Taibei, the Emperor often said that to govern effectively, one must use both benevolence and severity. Once awe-inspiring power is established, then benevolent favors can be bestowed, which will make subordinates grateful and loyal to the death. But what on earth is Gu Zhenhua doing? He's caught a few thieves, why not use thunderous methods to intimidate the troops? Instead, he's having heart-to-hearts with these soldiers and even distributing money and land - it's simply the face of a merchant! What is this guy thinking?"

  Kou Gui could vaguely guess Gu Zhenhua's intention, but he couldn't refute the crown prince either, so he said: "Gu Zhenhua is just a commoner, how can he understand those imperial tactics? The emperor's skills, he won't even learn a single bit!"

  Fortunately, Gu Zhenhua did not hear this remark, otherwise he would only laugh loudly and follow Chongzhen to hang himself on Coal Mountain.

  On the other side, a pair of twins clung tightly to the girl's side, secretly watching the soldiers in the threshing ground, especially staring at Gu Zhenhua among them.

  "Miss, that scoundrel is going to divide the money, some of which belongs to Master Biao's family and yours too. He didn't even ask you, it's simply banditry!"

  Mei Qianruo looked at the green-clothed girl's pouting expression and couldn't help but laugh: "Zhu'er, the Guogong Fu is already gone, and these gold and silver treasures have nothing to do with us either. Don't say such foolish things anymore."

  The red-clothed girl beside her also smiled and said, "Sister, the young lady is right. Just look at him, he's just like a hero from a play, weighing gold with a large steelyard and silver with a small one. He's simply majestic!"

  "It's not just majestic, it's also wise!" The girl laughed and said.

  "Miss, how can you say that?"

  "Favors and intimidation must be used in tandem, otherwise showing kindness will only be seen as trying to curry favor, and will ultimately lead to being taken advantage of. Using intimidation alone will create resentment, causing others to harbor hatred in their hearts, even if they don't say it out loud."

  Mei Juan thought that after arriving here, she couldn't help but think of the two years at the British Embassy in Beijing. A young girl came to the capital alone, suffered many cold eyes and hardships, only she knew. Looking back, this trip out of Beijing might also be a turning point in her fate. Hope was pinned on that person's body, clear eyes, tightly waiting for Gu Zhenhua among the crowd, the girl's thoughts were complicated.

  Actually, Mei Junruo was not wrong at all. Gu Zhenhua's heart was very clear. Although he had the prince and the will in his hands, these things would only be useful when the Qing army entered the pass and after he had established a foothold. For now, they were still a burden. Zhu Chunmin could think of selling out the prince, let alone these big-headed soldiers who didn't have any burden, and might even kill Gu Zhenhua together!

  To "command", one must first ensure they are in a position of authority, Gu Zhenhua was not so muddled, he didn't have the capital to order these soldiers around. For now, he and these soldiers were equal, if he wanted to gain their support, he had to share the spoils fairly, tying everyone's interests together with his own, only then could this small group have fighting power.

  "Brethren, in order to be able to leave the city, 56 brethren lost their lives and many more were injured. Therefore when dividing these things, they are first in line; each family of a deceased brother receives 1,000 mu of land, 2,000 taels of silver. Those severely wounded receive 500 taels, those moderately wounded 200 taels, and the lightly wounded 100 taels."

  Gu Zhenhua had already asked He Zhonghou to help count the casualties, and now he announced the plan for consolation at the first time. The surviving soldiers didn't have anything good to say, on the contrary, they all gave Gu Zhenhua a thumbs up.

  Gao Hongtu also said on the side: "Lord Gu, in the past, the imperial court also had a standard for consolation. It's just that these years have been financially strained, and many dead soldiers have become a pile of white bones, with no one to care for them. You can think of them and give such high consolation, ten times or even a hundred times more than the official government, so these brothers can also die with a smile!"

  Other soldiers were also eagerly expecting that if the dead could get so much, the living would not be far behind. They all looked at Gu Zhenhua with eager eyes, waiting for him to announce the next plan.

  "Other brothers, each with 500 mu of land and 1,000 liang of silver." Gu Zhenhua smiled and said: "Everyone can calculate it. The deceased brother got 56,000 mu of land and 112,000 liang of silver. The remaining brothers together got 175,000 mu of land and 350,000 liang of silver. Adding up, it's still less than a quarter of the total number. Do you think I'm unfair in my distribution?"

  "No need, no need. What we have is already more than enough."

  "Is it really satisfying or is he just thinking in his heart that Mr. Gu said something pleasant, but the burden still falls on him?"

  "Master Gu, you're the leader. As long as you eat meat, your brothers are happy to have soup. If anyone dares to complain about you again, they'll be struck by lightning and lose their conscience!" Some soldiers who truly admired Gu Zhenhua chimed in. However, some people's eyes wandered, seemingly thinking of something else.

  Gu Zhenhua smiled slightly: "Brothers, to be honest with you, I didn't take you as my subordinates. We are just brothers who have been through thick and thin together. If Gu really wanted to covet these things, he would have taken the land deeds and run away long ago. Why bother dividing them among everyone?"

  "What I'm giving you is just a benchmark figure, as long as you perform well, you can get even more, 500 mu, 1,000 mu, or even 10,000 mu, it's not impossible!"

  Gu Zhenhua's words thoroughly ignited the passion of the people present, everyone was boiling with enthusiasm, their eyes shining brightly, fists clenched, as if they couldn't wait to get the reward immediately.

  "Gentlemen, our property is in Jiangnan, and the ancient calligraphy and paintings are also worth a lot of money. However, we are surrounded by the rebel army, if we can't find a way out, we won't be able to get our hands on these things. Therefore, from now on, everyone must follow orders, we must unite as one, focus all our energy in one place, and only then can we survive in this chaotic world. Does everyone agree with me?"

  "Yes, Mr. Gu is right."

  "That's right, we all listen to Master Gu. Whatever you tell us to do, we'll do it."

  ……

  Looking at these enthusiastic soldiers, Gu Zhenhua finally showed a hint of a pleased smile, with renewed energy and morale, the team had hope, and Gu Zhenhua's position in this team was thoroughly established.

  At this time, Gu Zhenhua finally put away his smile and said coldly: "Go, bring those five thieves who stole the treasure to me!"