The next day, An Chen reported by telegraph that Nanchang had no intention of rebelling. Though they possessed a large number of private soldiers not listed on the rolls, those men held not swords, spears, or guns, but hoes, sickles, and shovels.
These private soldiers were all military households that had been concealed away. The local garrison commanders had turned every one of them into tenant farmers and hired laborers, making them farm and conduct business for them.
What was more, these men had to haul goods, build houses, repair roads, and do other work for the generals.
Not only did the generals use them themselves, but they also rented these private soldiers out to the local gentry and powerful clans. Anyone needing a house built, a road repaired, or goods transported could hire them. The soldiers received half the wages they earned, while the generals pocketed the other half.
There was a deputy general named Zhu Liu who was even more ruthless. The soldiers under his command were worked like oxen and horses, sent out to break stones and build houses for the gentry. He did not give the soldiers a single coin of their wages, merely ensuring that they had three meals a day.
The Emperor was beside himself with rage. Unable to restrain himself, he howled in the Qianqing Palace and demanded furiously, "Do my Ming Dynasty soldiers not have a single shred of fighting spirit left? They have been driven to such a state—why have they still not rebelled?"
The Empress said, "...His Majesty, you are the Emperor. You want them to rebel against you?"
"Not against me, against them." The Emperor swept his gaze around the room. Seeing no one else present, he muttered in a low voice, "Whoever makes it impossible for me to