Deputy Commander Jiang!

When Jiang Che returned to the Auxiliary Barracks, his status had changed once again. This time, the shift was nothing short of earth-shattering. Even the veteran soldiers from the main camps treated him with great respect.

As for the auxiliary soldiers, their demeanor bordered on fawning.

The reason was simple: Jiang Che was the one who had taken the lead in beheading Gou Buyi today.

The Auxiliary Barracks wasn't large, and news traveled even faster.

Almost everyone knew that Jiang Che had gained the favor of Liu Zhi and Captain Zhu and was about to rise in prominence. Faced with such a rapidly ascending star, no one dared to offend him.

As soon as he appeared, a barrage of compliments enveloped him.

It reminded him of the time Scarface had tried to forcibly take him away. He remembered that the people in the Auxiliary Barracks had looked at him with schadenfreude back then.

And this had all happened in just seven or eight days.

Of course, he also knew that these people weren't respecting him, but Liu Zhi and Zhu Sheng behind him. They respected the power, however intangible, that he now wielded.

However, from today onwards, that power would no longer be intangible.

Because of his performance, Liu Zhi had taken a special liking to him.

He was about to become... Deputy Commander Jiang of Yanggu County!

Fists are power.

Power is also fists!

"Uh, Brother Che."

The way Geng Dabiao addressed him felt awkward, as Geng Dabiao was several years older than Jiang Che.

"We're brothers, no need for pleasantries."

Jiang Che waved his hand dismissively.

"Mhm."

Geng Dabiao nodded. He wasn't good with words.

"I've taken care of your matter. Go back and get ready. You'll be leaving the Auxiliary Barracks with me."

"Really?"

Hearing this, Geng Dabiao's eyes lit up.

He was actually being transferred out of the Auxiliary Barracks.

Jiang Che wasn't lying to him!

"Of course, I wouldn't lie. However, you can't expect complete freedom from here on out. You'll be joining me as a soldier in the Wind Camp and heading to Yanggu County to work. As for revenge, I'll help you when the opportunity arises," Jiang Che said, patting Geng Dabiao on the shoulder.

Although he had been promised the position of deputy commander, he didn't have a single trustworthy subordinate. He needed to recruit a few. Geng Dabiao had good strength and a simple, straightforward personality, making him an excellent choice.

"Thank you." Geng Dabiao said this with genuine sincerity. As long as he could leave the Auxiliary Barracks, he was willing to pay any price. As for revenge, he didn't have the capability for it right now.

It was better to follow Jiang Che.

From what had happened before, he had a subtle premonition that Jiang Che's future prospects were very bright. As the saying goes, when one man achieves success, his dependents also benefit. If Jiang Che did well, he naturally wouldn't fare too poorly.

"No need for thanks."

Jiang Che smiled.

But Geng Dabiao's expression turned serious. He solemnly knelt on one knee towards Jiang Che and said in a deep voice:

"I, Geng Dabiao, am a simple man and not good with words. I know that getting me transferred just before the camp's departure must have taken a lot of effort from you. That bit of silver was nowhere near enough.

I'll remember this kindness. From now on, I'll follow you. Whatever you ask me to do, I'll do it without question."

Geng Dabiao's sincere pledge of loyalty was very pleasing to Jiang Che. What the man said was true; ten taels of silver alone wouldn't have been enough to get Liu Zhi to personally arrange for someone from a neighboring county to reinforce the Auxiliary Barracks.

Now, he finally had subordinates and was beginning to build his own team!

"We're brothers. We share fortune and face hardship together. Alright, go get ready," Jiang Che said, helping Geng Dabiao up.

"Yes!"

Jiang Che considered him a brother, but Geng Dabiao knew better than to act overly familiar. He quickly got into character.

Jiang Che did not participate in the usual midday chores like chopping wood or carrying water, nor did anyone dare to order him to. He spent the entire afternoon contemplating where to find the sacrifices needed to achieve mastery in Savage Bull Strength.

The military camp was out of the question for now.

After much thought, his only chance was to obtain what he needed from Yanggu County after he took office as deputy commander. There was also the Cao Gang.

This faction had tried to kill him multiple times, and he certainly wouldn't stand for it.

There would be a struggle once he returned to Yanggu County.

In his estimation, Zhu Sheng's transfer to Yanggu County as the new County Lieutenant, along with his own contingent of followers, meant he would inevitably seek to secure his own interests.

Would the existing beneficiaries willingly give up their gains?

Naturally, that was impossible.

There would be a conflict between the two sides.

He could take this opportunity to profit from it, and perhaps even have a chance to completely destroy the Cao Gang.

"Brother Che"

As dusk settled and the auxiliary soldiers returned to the barracks, Xu San'er approached Jiang Che with a basin of hot water, a smile plastered on his face, and made to take off Jiang Che's shoes to wash his feet.

"What are you doing, Brother Xu?"

Jiang Che quickly dodged.

"I see your shoes are full of holes. In this freezing winter, you must be suffering from the cold. I happen to have a pair of excellent cotton shoes. If you don't mind, you can wear them after washing your feet."

Xu San'er said this while rummaging for a pair of cotton shoes from under his quilt.

"Brother Xu, if you have something to say, just say it. There's no need for pleasantries between us."

Jiang Che looked at him meaningfully.

"It's nothing, really nothing." Xu San'er shook his head. He didn't know about Jiang Che's transfer, but judging by Jiang Che's current development, he would definitely be an official in charge of them in the future.

He thought it would be good to deepen their relationship. This was Xu San'er's way of survival.

"How many children does your family have, Brother Xu?"

Jiang Che asked casually, looking at the cotton shoes sewn with needle and thread.

"There were originally four. One was killed by a noble in the county, one starved to death the year before last, and now there are two left." Mentioning his children, a hint of sadness flashed across Xu San'er's face.

"How old are they?"

"The elder is seventeen, and the younger is twelve."

"What will happen to your family if you go to the border?"

Xu San'er sighed lightly, "There's nothing I can do about it. If I don't go, I'll die. If I go, maybe I can survive. My eldest son is grown up now; they can barely get by."

"Have you ever thought about transferring out of the Auxiliary Barracks, Brother Xu?"

Jiang Che smiled faintly. If Liu Zhi only offered one spot, then Xu San'er wouldn't have a chance. But if there were two, it wasn't impossible.

Although Xu San'er was older and lacked potential for growth, he was shrewd and capable. He had also helped Jiang Che quite a bit in the past few days. Moreover, besides Xu San'er, he didn't have any other candidates.

If it's free, why not use it?

"I'm not that capable." Xu San'er chuckled self-deprecatingly, but seeing Jiang Che's mysterious smile, he suddenly realized and stammered, "Brother Che, can you... can you do it?"

"I will be transferred out of the Auxiliary Barracks tomorrow, and in a few days, I will go to Yanggu County to serve as the Deputy Commander of the city gate. I happen to be short of people there, hahaha." Jiang Che chuckled lightly.

Xu San'er stood up with a 'bang', then knelt down on both knees and quickly kowtowed, "If Brother Che can help me get out of this military service, then from now on, my life belongs to you, Xu San'er."

"We are from the same hometown, and you have taken good care of me. How could I not think of you when I have this opportunity?"

Xu San'er looked up excitedly, his lips trembling, "Xu San'er greets Commander Jiang."

"Ah, it's Deputy Commander."

Jiang Che waved his hand, feigning displeasure, but a smile spread across his face.