Chapter 139: New Appointment

Chapter 139: New Appointment

Han Ruzi received his appointment exactly as rumored: he was appointed as the Central Protector Commander, commanding 500 nobles of the Noble Camp and 3,000 men of the Clear Defense Company. His most important responsibility was not leading troops into battle or surveying terrain or garrisoning a region, but escorting the personal belongings of the Grand General.

Among the 3,000 soldiers, two-thirds were horse-groomers and laborers, with only a thousand being true soldiers.

According to Han Ruzis observations, this phenomenon was not uncommon among the Chu army. Many generals used servants to fill the ranks of soldiers, using the courts rations to support their own retinues. The number varied, with the Grand General holding the highest position and the largest retinue. In comparison, the Northern and Southern armies were more organized, even the poorly reputed Northern army had very few such impostors.

Han Xing entrusted his retinue to the Weary Marquis, a sign of trust.

The appointment process was exceedingly simple. Han Xing sat on a chair, looking even more fatigued. He weakly smiled at the Weary Marquis, waved his hand, and someone brought over the official seal and relevant documents. Han Ruzi took them, handed them to two attendants, bid farewell, and left. The appointment was then considered official.

The Clear Defense Company was located adjacent to the Noble Camp. After leaving the central military tent, it was just a short walk away.

The Central Protector Commander had his own military tent. The registrar, military aides, and captains had long awaited their new superior, respectfully welcoming him.

As the Chu army prepared to withdraw to Mayi City, not a single item belonging to the Grand General could be left behind. The tasks of the Clear Defense Company were heavy, especially during this busy period. The handover and arrangements took an entire day, with Han Ruzi mainly listening and issuing orders, while the specific tasks were managed by the captains.

Prince Donghai was right once again. Han Xing had received numerous bribes, some delivered to his family in the Capital, but most were directly presented to him. They made sure he laid eyes on them, significantly increasing the amount of goods they had to move during the withdrawal.

Though the items were numerous, they couldnt afford to be disorganized. From tents to ropes, everything was meticulously recorded, with main and backup ledgers kept by different individuals. They cross-checked regularly, and each person had their assigned task during transport. If a piece of silver fell to the ground, no one could touch it. Only the designated personnel could pick it up; otherwise, it would be a breach of military law.

Managing personal belongings according to military law left no room for error.

Han Ruzi ate lunch alone in the military tent at noon. Prince Donghai wandered in alone, flipping through a thick stack of ledgers. He said, The old man has gathered enough money for his grandchildren.

You shouldnt be here, Han Ruzi said. Although there were many issues within the Chu army, the military laws within the camps were strict. No one was allowed to move freely between camps. The nobles could do as they pleased within their own designated areas but dared not enter others.

Prince Donghai chuckled, But Im your little brother. Now that youre the Central Protector Commander, Im your chief strategist.

Pointing at the food and drink on the table, Han Ruzi asked, Have you eaten?

Prince Donghai glanced but showed no interest. Instead, he asked, Have you thought it over?

Not yet. Theres too much going on. Well talk about it when we reach Mayi City.

Too much going on? Haha, do you know your own status? The Weary Marquis serving as Han Xings personal steward, heh.

Well Being a steward can also teach me a lot. Its no different from the logistics of transporting provisions in the army.

Heh, youre quite open-minded. Like most noble sons, Prince Donghai would rather do nothing than submit to a powerless position. Han Xing is cunning. Appointing you as the Central Protector Commander seems like trust, but its also a precaution. Given your status, petitioning the court will be incredibly difficult.

Han Xing had taken too many bribes and now needed to cover it up.

Han Ruzi sensed there was more to Prince Donghais words. You think I wont be able to petition the court and take the Noble Camp to Shattered Iron City?

Do you think everyones like you? Despite being two years younger than Cui Teng, Prince Donghai wasnt polite when speaking. They had grown up together and were true friends, true brothers.

Prince Donghai glanced at the bed. Hey, we should thank the old man Han Xing. Hes been too greedy. Anyone who sees it will be tempted. This one here is desperately wants the funds to maintain his thousand-strong retinue. Of course, he wont refuse Lets go.

As they walked out, Cui Teng said, What can a thousand people do? It would be interesting if he really took that thousand people to serve as bait

Han Ruzi was half asleep, half awake, and heard these words. Instead of getting angry, he found it amusing because he was about to do something even more interesting.

After Prince Donghai and Cui Teng left, Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu could finally enter to attend to their master, helping him remove his outer garments and washing his face and feet. Han Ruzi vomited once and felt much better.

Master, Young Master Chai Yue has visited twice, Zhang Youcai said.

What did he say?

Nothing. Seeing that you were drinking, he took his leave. Oh, someone surnamed Zhang also came.

There were many nobles surnamed Zhang, and Zhang Youcai himself shared this surname. However, when he mentioned someone surnamed Zhang, there was only one person in his mindZhang Yanghao, who had previously plotted against the Weary Marquis several times.

Han Ruzi chuckled. There was no need to ask; Zhang Yanghao must be afraid.

Ni Qiu, has someone been bullying you? Han Ruzi asked.

The boy from the Chao Family Fishing Village had been working with a cold face. Now he threw the cloth into the basin and said loudly, I thought you were a good emperor, or at least an honest official. Turns out youre no different from the others.

Although he had been reminded many times, Ni Qiu sometimes still uttered the words emperor. Zhang Youcai scolded, What do you know? How dare you be disrespectful to the master.

Han Ruzi waved his hand to indicate he wasnt bothered, then asked Ni Qiu, Youre good at catching fish, right?

Of course, Ni Qiu said proudly. He did not understand what the Weary Marquis meant, but when it came to his expertise, he was still very proud. I dont even need a fishing net; I can catch big fish with just my hands.

Han Ruzi smiled. I dont know much about fishing, but I suppose you have to first spot the big fish and then swim over, right?

Wellusually. Sometimes Ill hold my breath and wait a bit longer until the big fish swims closer, then grab it in one go.

Exactly, theres a big fish swimming towards me right now. Should I act immediately or wait for it to come closer?

Han Ruzi fell asleep deeply on the bed, while Ni Qiu remained perplexed, whispering to Zhang Youcai, What does the Weary Marquis mean?

Zhang Youcai chuckled softly. In a couple of days, youll have a big fish to eat.

Ni Qiu scratched his head, still not understanding, but his discontent with the Weary Marquis gradually faded away.

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CH 138