The Formation of the Brocade Guard

"How many people do these intelligence organizations currently have operating undercover?"

"Reporting to you, Young Lord, there are currently 3,600 intelligence agents across the eleven provinces of the Great Zhou State. Apart from the Central Capital, which has six hundred agents, each of the other provinces has three hundred," Wuying answered.

Zhou Yao thought, My imperial uncle confiscated my father's property. It seems he didn't do it for no reason. He may have spotted some clues.

It seems Prince Zhou Shun wasn't someone to take lightly, either! Why else would he station so many intelligence agents across the Great Zhou State's eleven provinces? Isn't it as plain as day?

"Mm... I see."

Zhou Yao continued, "And did my father leave behind an army or anything like that?"

"Reporting to you, Young Lord, the prince did leave behind a force of around twenty thousand men, in the deep mountains more than a hundred kilometers from here."

Hearing Wuying say that, Zhou Yao realized that his father, Prince Zhou Shun, really had been preparing to rebel. He had simply been careless and gotten caught. He died before his campaign could begin, forever soaking heroes' robes with tears!

Actually, that wasn't quite right either. His father could only blame his bad luck. Since ancient times, winners had been kings and losers branded bandits.

"Keeping so many men and intelligence agents fed and maintained must cost quite a lot every day. Where does your funding come from?"

"At first, we relied entirely on a huge sum the prince left behind to support the intelligence organizations and the twenty thousand men."

"But the Great Zhou State has suffered droughts for over two years running, making life difficult for our twenty-odd thousand men. They're now owed nearly half a year's rations and pay."

"Food is also extremely scarce. Because of the shortage, the twenty thousand men are eating nothing but very, very thin congee. Many of them are full of grievances!"

"Exactly. No matter how loyal someone is, if he can't get enough to eat and isn't paid, who would remain loyal to you with all his heart? That's the way of it," Zhou Yao said.

Zhou Yao continued, "Can you mobilize those twenty thousand men now?"

"Reporting to you, Young Lord, I have a command token. I can mobilize them."

"And are those undercover intelligence agents also under your control? Are you the one who contacts them?"

"Yes, Young Lord."

"Good. Go contact the chief intelligence officer in every province of the Great Zhou State and have them all come to me here in Happiness Village. I have something to say."

"Also, mobilize the twenty thousand men and bring them to Happiness Village. From now on, the deep mountains behind me will be their home. Have them train there. I'll turn them into an elite force that will strike fear into every enemy in every country at the mere mention of their name."

"Young Lord..." Wuying said awkwardly.

Zhou Yao smiled. "What's wrong? Is there something difficult to say?"

"Reporting to you, Young Lord, the intelligence agents can come here easily enough, but a force of twenty thousand would draw too much attention. It would be difficult to bring them here. And there's also... well... we're short of money and food right now, so the twenty thousand men might not listen to me," Wuying said awkwardly.

"Here are banknotes worth five hundred thousand taels of silver. Keep them safe. First, settle all the rations and pay owed to the twenty thousand soldiers, then give them another three months' worth. Use everything left over to buy grain and meat for them to eat."

"I didn't think it through. Have the twenty thousand men stay where they are. I'll visit them before the new year."

"Go quietly summon all their officers of centurion rank and above to me. I have something to say."

"Tell all twenty thousand men that ten thousand will be formed into heavy cavalry and ten thousand into heavy infantry. I'll deliver all their weapons and equipment to them at the new year."

"Also tell all the brothers that each heavy cavalryman will receive five taels of silver a month in rations and pay, and each heavy infantryman will receive four. Everyone will be paid on the first of each month. I will never withhold anyone's rations or pay."

"Tell all the brothers, too, that from now on they'll eat three meals a day. They'll have big white steamed buns and rice at every meal, and meat three times a day. Tell them their young lord said so."

"Yes... Young Lord. At your command. I guarantee I'll complete the task," Wuying answered happily.

Hearing Young Lord Zhou Yao say all that and give her banknotes worth five hundred thousand taels, Wuying was shaken and astonished beyond measure. She had completely underestimated her master before. But she was happy now as well, because in the present Young Lord Zhou Yao, she saw hope. She saw that the prince's great grievance could be avenged, and even saw a bright tomorrow... The corners of her mouth curled into a smile without her realizing it.

"Wuying..." Zhou Yao called.

"Young Lord, I'm here."

"Don't call me Young Lord anymore. From now on, call me Young Master!"

"Yes, Young Master."

"Wuying, I'm renaming all the intelligence organizations in the Great Zhou State the 'Brocade Guard.' From now on, I want the Brocade Guard to keep watch over every official in the Great Zhou State, and even every village and rural area within it, as well as every movement of all the countries surrounding it."

"Yes... Young Master."

"Here are banknotes worth one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver. Give the head intelligence agent in each province ten thousand taels, and keep the remaining thirty thousand for your own use."

Wuying said excitedly, "Yes, Young Master. You're really too good to me."

"We're all family from now on. You'll be my eyes and ears, and I trust you."

"Yes... Young Master, I will not disappoint you."