Deputy Thousand-Household Commander Qin had just left the Thousand-Household Commander's office.
Yang Ge turned to Fang Ke beside him. "We can't trust that old bastard completely. Make several copies of that letter later and send them simultaneously by multiple pigeons to the Northern Pacification Office in Capital City."
Fang Ke cupped his hands, thoroughly convinced. "Yes, sir!"
Yang Ge picked up his brush and continued writing. "Someone summon Gu Tong, the First Company's Banner Commander."
The Strongman standing guard outside answered loudly, "Yes, sir!"
Yang Ge said, "Starting today, make a copy of every intelligence report sent back from Jiangzhe and deliver it to me. That includes the court bulletins issued from Capital City. I want to see those too!"
Fang Ke replied, "Yes, sir..."
While they spoke, Gu Tong hurried inside in full uniform and bowed low. "Your subordinate Gu Tong pays his respects, sir."
Yang Ge set down his brush. "Old Gu..."
Gu Tong answered at once, "Here, sir."
Smiling, Yang Ge raised a hand toward him. "Don't be nervous. Stand up, and let's have a little chat, brother to brother."
Gu Tong had not been nervous before, but those words instantly set his nerves on edge. "Whatever your orders, sir, just say the word. I would walk through boiling water and fire without hesitation!"
"I told you not to be nervous," Yang Ge said gently. "Stand up, and we'll talk!"
Gu Tong straightened hesitantly, his right eyelid twitching wildly as he kept his head lowered, afraid to look directly at Yang Ge above him.
Yang Ge smiled. "Old Gu, you've been with me quite a while now, haven't you?"
Gu Tong answered without thinking. "Sir, I've served under you for one year and five months."
Yang Ge nodded. "And after all that time, you're still only a