At night,
Putuo Garrison's parade ground bustled with activity. Huge cauldrons had been set up, pork bubbling away inside as its aroma spread through the air. A dense crowd stood around them, everyone swallowing hungrily.
Jiang Hao arrived with the military inspector and the centurions. The soldiers and garrison families hurriedly paid their respects. At last, people got to see the legendary Defense Commander Jiang, who would pull out banknotes at the slightest disagreement. Long tables filled the parade ground, and Jiang Hao did not waste words. He directly ordered everyone to start eating.
Steamer after steamer of white rice was placed on the tables, and basin after basin of pork stewed with radishes was served. Everyone began stuffing themselves. Jiang Hao's table received no special treatment either; they too held bowls of rice and ate stewed pork, while the centurions ate with equal gusto.
"This is so good! We didn't even eat like this during New Year's."
"Heavens, it's so delicious! I've never eaten anything this good."
"White rice until we're full... this isn't a dream, is it? This meal alone can keep me going for three days."
Watching the garrison men still wolfing down food, Jiang Hao said to the centurions, "Look at them. Aren't they happy? Is this kind of life good?"
"Of course it is!" Shen Yi shouted, while the others nodded in agreement.
"Then do you want to live like this forever?"
"Of course we do!" Ye Dachuan cried.
"But if we eat like this, even if we receive our full pay, we still couldn't afford it," Yan Hui said with a frown.
Great Ming soldiers received silver, grain, and cloth as monthly pay. Altogether, it amounted to no more than four mace of silver. Even the centurions at the table only received one tael