"But even as a First-Rank Earl, I can only form a Personal Guard Army of four hundred-odd men. Any more would violate the Imperial Court's regulations, and I could lose my head," Tang Wen said, shaking his head.
"Heh heh, Lord Qin already thought of that for you," Tie Wenjing said with a smile.
"Oh? Is there some way around it?" Tang Wen asked.
"Lord Qin means for you to donate for another official post, such as Deputy Tuanlian Commissioner of Jiangzhou Prefecture.
"Then you could openly recruit a thousand soldiers.
"With your Personal Guard Army added in, you would have as many as fifteen hundred men.
"Then you would have the strength to fight back when you encountered pirates," Tie Wenjing said.
"I've even brought the official seal, and I've already requested and received the Imperial Court's approval." Qin Botong waved a hand, and Master Qin brought over a box. When he opened it, an official seal lay inside.
"The Imperial Court only agreed because you're a First-Class Earl. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to donate for it," Tie Wenjing said.
"The court grants certain privileges to those with noble titles, allowing them to donate silver to purchase official posts. Of course, it depends on the post. Posts such as Tuanlian Commissioner and Pacification Commissioner are all permissible," Master Qin said.
"They're only idle posts. Of course the Imperial Court would agree," Tang Wen replied.
"You can't quite put it that way. Though they're all idle posts, your position as Deputy Tuanlian Commissioner carries the authority to recruit local soldiers.
"Then giving you some guns and cannons would also comply with the Imperial Court's regulations.
"Firearms and Black-Clad Cannons, for instance. Of course, we can authorize an allocation of those for you.
"But when you collect them from the