When Jiang Che returned to the Auxiliary Barracks, his status had changed once again—and this time, it was a world-turning upheaval. Even the veteran soldiers from the main camp treated him with exceptional courtesy.
As for the auxiliary soldiers, they were practically fawning over him.
The reason was simple: Jiang Che had been the one to lead the execution of Gou Buyi today.
The Auxiliary Barracks was not large, and news traveled especially fast.
Almost everyone knew that Jiang Che had won the favor of Liu Zhi and Captain Zhu and was about to rise through the ranks. No one dared offend such a rising star.
The moment he appeared, wave after wave of flattery surrounded him completely.
It reminded him of what had happened when Scarface had tried to forcibly take him away. Back then, the looks in the eyes of those in the Auxiliary Barracks had mostly been filled with schadenfreude.
And only seven or eight days had passed.
Of course, he knew these people did not respect him. They respected Liu Zhi and Zhu Sheng behind him, and the power that seemed to hover in his hands.
But from today onward, that power would no longer be something vague and intangible.
Because his performance had earned Liu Zhi's special regard.
He was about to become Deputy Commander Jiang of Yanggu County!
A fist was power.
Power was also a fist!
"Uh, Brother Che."
The way Geng Dabiao addressed him made Geng Dabiao himself feel terribly awkward, since he was several years older than Jiang Che.
"We're brothers. No need to be so polite."
Jiang Che waved a hand, unconcerned.
"Mm."
Geng Dabiao nodded. He truly was not good with words.
"I've already settled your matter. Go back and make your preparations. You'll leave the Auxiliary Barracks with me."
"Really?"
At those words, a spark lit in Geng Dabiao's eyes.
He really was being transferred out of the Auxiliary Barracks.
Jiang Che had not lied to him!
"Of course it's true. But don't think you'll be free from now on. You'll accompany me to Yanggu County as a soldier of Wind Camp and work there. As for revenge, when the chance comes, I'll help you."
Jiang Che said this as he patted Geng Dabiao on the shoulder.
Though he had been promised the position of deputy commander, he did not have a single trustworthy person under him. He had to recruit a few people. Geng Dabiao was strong, honest, and straightforward—the perfect choice.
"Thank you." Geng Dabiao spoke those words from the bottom of his heart. So long as he could leave the Auxiliary Barracks, he was willing to pay any price. As for revenge, he did not yet have the ability for it.
Better to follow Jiang Che and make a go of it.
After what had happened before, he had a faint premonition deep down that Jiang Che had a great future ahead of him. As the saying went, when one person attained the Dao, even the chickens and dogs ascended to heaven. If Jiang Che made it big, he naturally would not fare too poorly either.
"What are you being polite for?"
Jiang Che smiled.
But Geng Dabiao wore a solemn expression. He very seriously dropped to one knee before Jiang Che and said in a deep voice:
"I, Geng Dabiao, am a rough man. I don't know how to talk pretty. I know that being transferred out just as the camp is about to move must've taken a lot of effort on your part. That little bit of silver definitely wasn't enough.
"I'll remember this kindness. From now on, I'll follow you. Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do. There won't be a second word out of me."
Geng Dabiao's plain yet earnest declaration of loyalty pleased Jiang Che greatly. What he said was indeed true: just ten taels of silver could not have persuaded Liu Zhi to specifically transfer men from a neighboring county to replenish the auxiliary soldiers.
Now, he could be said to have subordinates of his own and had begun building his own foundation!
"We're brothers. We'll share blessings and shoulder hardships together. All right, go prepare."
Jiang Che helped Geng Dabiao up as he spoke.
"Yes!"
Jiang Che treated him as a brother, but Geng Dabiao could not truly fail to recognize the proper measure and address him as a mere brother. He swiftly fell into line.
Jiang Che did not take part in any of the noon chores, such as chopping firewood and hauling water, nor did anyone dare order him around. All afternoon, he pondered where he could find the sacrificial offering needed to bring Savage Bull Strength to major accomplishment.
The military camp was temporarily out of the question.
After thinking it over, his only chance was to obtain what he needed from Yanggu County after assuming the post of deputy commander. There was also the Cao Gang.
That force wanted him dead and had made moves against him time and again. Naturally, he could not simply endure it.
Once he returned to Yanggu County, there would be another fierce struggle waiting for him.
In his judgment, Zhu Sheng had been transferred to Yanggu County as its new county commandant and had brought along a group of his own people. He would surely need to seize interests that belonged to him.
Would the original beneficiaries willingly give them up?
Naturally, that was impossible.
The two sides were bound to clash.
He could profit amid the chaos, and perhaps even have a chance to wipe out the Cao Gang entirely.
"Brother Che."
As the sky gradually darkened and the auxiliary soldiers returned to camp one after another, Xu San'er carried a basin of hot water over to Jiang Che. Smiling broadly, he made as if to remove Jiang Che's shoes and wash his feet for him.
"Brother Xu, what are you doing?"
Jiang Che hurriedly moved aside.
"I saw that your shoes have holes in them. In the dead of winter, you'll inevitably suffer from the cold. I happen to have a fine pair of cotton shoes here. If you don't mind, you can put them on after washing your feet."
As Xu San'er spoke, he rummaged out a pair of cotton shoes from beneath his blanket.
"Brother Xu, if you have something to say, just say it. There's no need for such courtesy between us."
Jiang Che looked at him meaningfully.
"Nothing, truly nothing." Xu San'er shook his head. He did not know that Jiang Che was being transferred away, but judging by Jiang Che's current momentum, he would surely become an official and oversee them in the future.
So he wanted to deepen their relationship further. This was Xu San'er's way of surviving.
"Brother Xu, how many children do you have at home?"
Jiang Che casually asked as he looked at the cotton shoes, stitched stitch by stitch.
"There were four originally. One was beaten to death by a nobleman in the county, and another starved to death two years ago. There are two left now." At the mention of his children, a trace of desolation flashed across Xu San'er's face.
"How old are they?"
"The eldest is seventeen, the youngest twelve."
"If you go to the frontier, what will happen to your family?"
Xu San'er sighed softly. "There's nothing to be done about it. If I don't go, I'll die. If I go, maybe I'll survive. The eldest is grown now and can barely keep the family going."
"Brother Xu, have you ever thought about transferring out of the Auxiliary Barracks?"
Jiang Che smiled faintly. If Liu Zhi had given only one slot, then naturally Xu San'er would have had no share. But if there were two, then it was not impossible.
Xu San'er was old and had little room for advancement, but he was shrewd and capable. He had also helped Jiang Che quite a bit these past few days. Besides Xu San'er, Jiang Che had no other candidates.
There was no reason not to use someone available.
"How could I possibly have that kind of ability?" Xu San'er gave a self-mocking laugh. But when he saw Jiang Che's mysterious smile, realization suddenly dawned on him, and he stammered:
"Brother Che, y-you... you can do it?"
"Tomorrow, I'll be transferred out of the Auxiliary Barracks. In a few days, I'll head to Yanggu County to take up the post of deputy commander of the city gates. I happen to be short-handed."
Xu San'er sprang to his feet with a bang, then dropped to both knees and hurriedly kowtowed.
"If Brother Che can help me escape this military service, then from now on, this life of mine, Xu San'er's life, will be yours."
"We're fellow townsmen, and you've taken such good care of me. With this opportunity before me, how could I not think of you?"
Xu San'er lifted his head excitedly, his lips trembling.
"Xu San'er pays respects to Commander Jiang."
"Ah, deputy commander."
Jiang Che waved his hand, pretending to be displeased, though a smile spilled across his face.