Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1097: Private
"First break, then establish?" General Guo perked up as he heard this, and asked, "Kid, did you already have a strategy in mind? Let’s hear it."
Qin San Lang nodded and explained the method he used to train Zhong Yu.
General Guo was taken aback, but finally smiled, and said, "You really have a way with things, but Zhong Yu is a noble young master. What if he can’t handle the hardship and gives up?"
To be honest, General Guo still really wanted to use Zhong Yu to exchange for the Zhong family’s Silver. Funding the army is expensive and the Emperor is stingy, unwilling to give the soldiers in the south too much Silver, so he had to find ways to fund the army.
Qin San Lang replied, "He won’t. Although Zhong Yu is a noble young master, he is someone who can endure hardship and wants to achieve success in the army. As long as he maintains this initial aspiration, he won’t fare too badly."
Vice General Lan heard this and felt indignant on behalf of Qin San Lang: "That kid Zhong Yu opposes you like this, and you’re still speaking for him, San Lang, you’re too good-natured."
Qin San Lang laughed. In fact, he wasn’t very good-natured, otherwise, he wouldn’t have a reputation as King Yan in the garrison. He just felt that "Zhong Yu can still be saved."
Moreover, Zhong Yu has a temper very much like his second brother’s.
Like Zhong Yu, his second brother had a fiery temper. When he first went to the Northwest camp for training, he was also looked down upon by the Northwest Army, who said he only became a flag leader because he was a young master from the Capital.
His second brother was furious at the time and directly resigned from the position of flag leader, starting from a private. Within three years, he became the Vanguard Deputy General, quite impressive.
He had been quite surprised when he heard about his second brother’s story. In his understanding, with his second brother’s temper, he would definitely have given up and before leaving, dragged out those who mocked him for a beating. After all, he was a legitimate son of the Marquis Mansion, so beating a few private soldiers who laughed at him wouldn’t lead to beheading.
But his second brother didn’t; he endured it.
Later, his older brother told him that the reason his second brother gritted his teeth and endured was not only because he didn’t want to be ridiculed but also because he had the heart to achieve success and protect the country and its people.
The same is true for Zhong Yu; he’s too much like his second brother. Qin San Lang is confident that after this big mistake, Zhong Yu can correct himself.
"Can still be saved? San Lang, you’re too kind to Zhong Yu. He’s just a fool. Stop trying to save him, take this chance to send him back home." Vice General Lan didn’t want to bother with Zhong Yu anymore.
However, Qin San Lang said, "There’s no bad soldiers, only commanders who don’t know how to train soldiers. Compared to others with impure intentions, Zhong Yu is rare. Teaching him well will be infinitely beneficial. We shouldn’t give up on him so soon."
General Guo nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "San Lang, good kid, you haven’t disappointed me. I’ll leave Zhong Yu’s matter to you. If you can train him well, I will record a great merit for you!"
Zhong Yu is essentially a money bag; with him here, the Zhong family’s Silver would annually come in, so the soldiers’ lives would be better.
Qin San Lang laughed, "This is just my duty; no need to record any great merit. It would be enough if the General could give me a few more days off to go home and accompany my wife."
"Hahaha, kid, you speak without shame; you’ve really grown up." General Guo recalled three years ago when they would tease San Lang and he would blush, feeling quite nostalgic.
"Alright, I’ll give you a few more days off then, so you can accompany your wife. County Magistrate Zheng won’t say anything." General Guo was genuinely kind to Qin San Lang, knowing he was preparing for his engagement soon, so he asked, "Have you secured a matchmaker? If so, you might want to cancel that; I have a good candidate here, a descendant of the Zong family from the Central Plains. After the downfall of the Zong family, one branch became matchmakers, officially registered with the government office, and many prestigious families in Jianghuai and Jiangnan use them for marriages. I’ve already had my wife arrange it for you; by then, a Zong matchmaker will deliver your betrothal gifts."
Qin San Lang was overjoyed to hear this. He had heard of the Zong family matchmakers, known for their noble family background, they were quite prestigious, and people even in the Capital would pay a high price for their services.
But his own family had fallen into decline and couldn’t invite a Zong family matchmaker, only able to hire an official matchmaker from the Prefecture. Now, with General Guo’s words, he immediately clasped his fists and bowed in thanks: "Many thanks to General Guo!"
The joy and excitement on his face were apparent, making General Guo very pleased. Such a good lad; if not for the superior-subordinate relationship, he really wanted to set up some tables and adopt San Lang as his godson.
General Guo nodded and said, "Good, don’t worry. In a few days, the Zong matchmaker will arrive, and then Brother Qiang will bring him to stay in the Prefecture for a few days. When you go back for the betrothal ceremony, they will accompany you home."
Qin San Lang was taken aback to hear this and thanked General Guo again: "Many thanks for the General’s favor."
Brother Qiang is General Guo’s eldest son, twelve years old this year, and Qin San Lang had met him. General Guo allowing his own son to accompany the Qin family to help with the betrothal ceremony was a significant honor for someone of Qin San Lang’s rank from the village.
After all, Brother Qiang is the son of the General, and how many people in the countryside have seen such a noble young master?
Vice General Lan was also pleased, patting Qin San Lang on the shoulder and saying, "Kid, you’ve done well; General Guo almost considers you his own son, no wonder that kid Zhong Yu gets jealous."
He continued, "But you won the General’s favor with your real skills. Zhong Yu that kid just causes trouble every day, looking at him makes one tired, not pleasant at all."
Qin San Lang smiled and said, "He will be promising in the future as well."
Then he said to General Guo: "General, remove Zhong Yu’s position as Chief Commander, let him start as a private, and gather all the troublemakers in the camp; take them to train in the mountains together. Otherwise, if we only train Zhong Yu, he might feel we’re targeting him."
"Alright." General Guo nodded and told Vice General Lan, "Go gather those troublemakers and have them stand by."
"Yes." Vice General Lan accepted the order and left.
Zhong Yu stood by the pillar in the distance, seeing Vice General Lan come out and walk toward another training ground instead of coming his way, he felt slightly relieved but still anxiously looked at the General Guo’s tent, not knowing how the General would punish him?
If he were to be sent away, what should he do?
His family already disapproved of him joining the army, and if he were sent back home, he would lose face completely.
In his anxious wait, Qin San Lang and the confidant soldier of General Guo came over to announce the General’s order.
"Zhong Yu, General Guo ordered, you disobeyed orders during battle. According to military law, this merits execution. Considering it’s your first offense, and the context was bandit suppression rather than resisting foreign enemies, your punishment is lightened. You’ll be beaten with twenty army sticks, removed from your position as Chief Commander, and placed into the auxiliary army as an auxiliary soldier."
As an auxiliary soldier, not even a formal soldier, just someone who gets a meal with no military salary, truly a miserable position.
Zhong Yu, hearing this, wasn’t discontent but rather let out a sigh of relief, kneeling down and said, "I accept the punishment, many thanks to the General for sparing my life!"
