Chapter 88 Donating a Deputy Envoy of the Militia
"But even though I am a first-class earl, I can only form a personal guard of more than 400 people. If I have more, it will violate the court rules and I will be beheaded." Tang Wen shook his head.
"Hehehe, Lord Qin has already thought of this for you." Tie Wenjing said with a smile.
"Oh, is there any explanation?" Tang Wen asked.
"Master Qin wants you to donate money for another official position, such as the deputy commander of the militia in Jiangzhou Prefecture.
At that time, you can openly recruit soldiers, up to a thousand men.
Add your personal guards, that would make a total of 1,500 people.
Then, we will be able to fight back if we encounter pirates." Tie Wenjing said.
"I have brought the official seal with me, and have already asked the court for approval." Qin Botong waved his hand, and Master Qin brought a box. When he opened it, there was an official seal inside.
"Because you are a first-class earl, the court agreed. Otherwise, you would not be qualified to donate." Tie Wenjing said.
"The court has certain preferential treatment for people with titles. They can donate silver to buy official positions. Of course, it also depends on what the position is. Positions like the Training Commander or the Pacification Commissioner are all fine." said Master Qin.
"It's just some minor tasks, so of course the court agreed to it." Tang Wen replied.
"That's not the way to say it. Although these are sinecures, as the deputy commander of the militia, you have the power to recruit local soldiers.
At that time, it would be in accordance with the court's rules to give you some guns and cannons.
For example, fire guns and black cannons, etc. Of course, we can approve some of these things for you.
However, you have to pay for the silver yourself when you go to the imperial foundry to withdraw it," said Master Qin.
"That's fine, but the commander of the militia in Jiangzhou Prefecture is Lord Qin.
All the expenses of my soldiers are paid by the Tang family, including food, clothing and daily necessities.
Therefore, the court cannot transfer my soldiers at will. Otherwise, wouldn't my Tang family have trained soldiers for the court in vain?
Of course, for example, if we encounter pirates and bandits attacking Koh Samui, that is our unshirkable mission.
I keep them to protect the safety of Koh Samui.
Now that Koh Samui is safe, we can free up time to reclaim wasteland and grow crops and beans. We will pay more taxes, which is also a contribution to the court.
Even the people live and work in peace and contentment, and it has also solved some local problems for Jiangzhou Prefecture, right?" Tang Wen said.
"Don't worry, Lord Tang. Jiangzhou Prefecture will never withdraw your troops no matter how difficult the situation is.
Our Jiangzhou is the main city of a province. There are more than a dozen naval battalions stationed there, and dozens of battalions together with the Great Chu Army.
There were also several battalions of the dynasty's elite Black Cavalry, plus yamen runners, constables, and local soldiers, totaling no less than 150,000 people.
Lord Tang, you only have one or two thousand people. Haha, Qin Botong, I won't come to attack Lord Tang." Qin Botong said with a little contempt.
"Words are not enough, written evidence is needed!" Tang Wencai didn't care about him. The words written in black and white must be the official document.
"This official document can be issued. However , since Lord Tang is the deputy commander of the militia, he has to contribute some efforts to Jiangzhou Prefecture. So, if there are pirate attacks in the surrounding islands and waters, Lord Tang, as the deputy commander of the militia, should send soldiers to suppress them?" Qin Botong said.
"Surroundings, how big is the surroundings? This should have a rough range, right?" Tang Wen asked. He must not be fooled by Qin Botong.
Generally speaking, the entire sea area of Jiangzhou Prefecture can be said to be around Koh Samui, and this pirate ship cannot be boarded casually.
"It's about sixty miles around Koh Samui." said Master Qin.
"This area is not small. The area of Jiangzhou Prefecture from east to west and north to south is estimated to be only about 200 miles.
My defense zone is as wide as sixty miles. Haha, is it possible with just these few people?
Also, the court doesn’t give us money and food, so our Tang family has to pay for it all, which is really putting our Tang family in a difficult position.” Tang Wen said with a smile.
“This is indeed a bit difficult for you, but you, as the deputy commander of the militia, are different from others. You have the power to recruit 2,000 local soldiers.
Including four or five hundred personal guards and household servants, the number of people can easily reach three thousand.
With 3,000 men, if they are well-equipped, they can defend the city with some difficulty," Qin Botong said.
"Well-equipped, that would require a large amount of silver, and I would be busy all the time. It would be better if I didn't want to be the deputy commander of the militia. I would be happy to have some free time." Tang Wen said.
"Haha, Lord Tang, in fact, Lord Qin has already considered it for you." Master Qin said with a smile.
"Oh?" Tang Wen looked at him.
“Because you shoulder such an important responsibility, this time, Lord Qin specially asked the court for permission.
It is said that you are a first-class earl, and you donated tents and money. This time, after the army received the tents, they all said that your tents are very useful, and you also wiped out a large number of pirates.
Therefore, the Haisheng City Clan Hall believes that you are capable of taking on the important task.
Therefore, I agree to make White Tiger Island your fiefdom." said Master Qin.
"Where is White Tiger Island?" Tang Wen asked.
"Master, White Tiger Island is just in front of the left side of our Samui Island, only five or six miles away from our Samui Island." Luo Yiwu said at this time.
"The island is not small, comparable to Koh Samui. Back then, your Tang family's ancestors spent one million taels to acquire Koh Samui." said Master Qin.
"White Tiger Island was proposed by me, and the higher-ups agreed to award it to you. So, you don't need so much silver. You only need to pay 600,000 taels." Qin Botong said.
"White Tiger Island is a deserted island. It is full of man-eating trees and man-eating plants. It is not suitable for human habitation at all. It is a place where even birds dare not shit. No one would want it, let alone 600,000 taels, even 100,000 taels would be worth it." Luo Yiwu said.
"Why do you say that? The land of that island is comparable to that of Koh Samui. Lord Tang can reclaim Koh Samui, so I believe he can also reclaim White Tiger Island.
Look, how beautiful your Wolong Lake will be once it is built.
I believe that Sir has the ability to build White Tiger Island.
Then, you will make a lot of money." Qin Botong said with a serious face.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have that ability." Tang Wen said firmly.
He knew clearly in his mind that this title was just bullshit. The deputy commander of the militia was purely targeting his wallet and trying to make money.
"Haha, Lord Tang can't say that.
It's all for the court. The war in the north and west has entered a white-hot stage and a large amount of money and food is needed.
Otherwise, once the northwest is conquered by the Qin State, the country will be in danger. " Qin Botong laughed dryly.
"But you can't treat me as a sucker! There is good wine for friends to come, but if anyone wants to treat me, Tang Wen, as a sucker, then please go ahead. I'm sorry that I can't entertain you." Tang Wen said angrily.
"That's impossible!" Qin Botong said with a straight face, "Lord Tang, of course I gave you White Tiger Island to strengthen your defense.
It is for the safety of Koh Samui. If pirates hide on White Tiger Island, the danger to Koh Samui will increase.
Once White Tiger Island becomes your territory, you can send people to defend the island, and then the pirates will be afraid to attack.
Of course, I know that Lord Tang is unhappy, so I asked the higher-ups for instructions, and they approved it.
It has been decided to give the Mei Residence at No. 8 East Street in the provincial capital and White Tiger Island as fiefs to Lord Tang. "
“The Mei residence occupies a large area, covering a hundred acres, and the East Street of the provincial capital is a prosperous area in the provincial capital.
The Mei residence is on the street, and if the wall of the courtyard is pushed down, it can be turned into dozens of shops.
By then, the rent alone will be quite a lot in a year." Qin Shi Huang said.
"How much silver does it cost?" Tang Wen asked sarcastically.
"Together with White Tiger Island, the total is eight hundred thousand taels." Master Qin said.
