Chapter 23: Military Command

Liang Xiao’s majestic and bold declaration echoed throughout the grounds, startling all the garrison troops.

A Honghu bird swooped down, landing before the military camp. As the crowd focused their gaze, they saw the young man on horseback, holding his Jingye Spear, his posture heroic and his eyes sharp as lightning. Liang Pin, Cao Chen, the imperial guards, the Liang family guards, and a small number of yamen runners close to Cao Chen hurried up from behind.

Cao Qing, his mind finally at ease, introduced him with great enthusiasm: "This is our new County Magistrate, Lord Liang!"

The crowd looked at Liang Xiao with varied expressions and complex eyes—some curious, some awestruck, and others resentful. However, with the imperial officers present, their stern authority left no room for the soldiers to act out. On the surface, these officers were government employees just like them, but in reality, they hailed from the capital, drew regular salaries and subsidies, and held a status even higher than the elite regional soldiers. Given that even Yuan Bailong had been decapitated by Liang Xiao’s sword, how could these lowly soldiers dare to court disaster?

"Greetings, Magistrate!" The garrison troops bowed one after another, their tone respectful.

After dismounting, Liang Xiao ascended the platform. He surveyed the crowd, and his heart sank. Cao Chen had been far too tactful. At a single glance, he could tell that at least three-quarters of these fifteen hundred soldiers were nothing more than good-for-nothings.

Fortunately, they were regular troops with official military registration and standard equipment; this was the crucial point. The rule of the Wu Dynasty was decaying, but mutinies among regional garrisons remained rare unless a massive civilian uprising occurred that forced the troops to surrender. Soldiers were tied to their household registrations, and their families and clans were their greatest vulnerabilities. Of course, the situation in Pei County was complex and infested with bandits; it was highly likely that collusion between officials and criminals existed, so he did not dare to lower his guard upon his arrival.

After Cao Chen and the others reached the scene, they stood guard below the platform, looking up at Liang Xiao with great anticipation.

"Fifteen hundred garrison troops. I have heard there are three chief captains—Zhao Ling, Wang Chao, and Liu Ding. Step forward!"

At Liang Xiao’s command, the three captains reluctantly emerged from the crowd, saluted, and stated their names. "Greetings, Magistrate!"

Seeing the three of them looking listless, Liang Xiao calculated for a moment before asking, "Have the garrison troops of Pei County committed any crimes or oppressed the people recently?"

"Reporting to the Magistrate, no!" the three replied in unison.

Liang Xiao then revealed a smile. "Since Yuan Bailong was executed, you three have kept your men in check and prevented chaos. You are each awarded twenty taels of silver."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liang Pin immediately handed each of the three a twenty-tael silver note.

"Th-thank you, Magistrate!" The three were both shocked and overjoyed, kneeling on the spot to express their gratitude, their eyes gleaming.

"The remaining soldiers will each receive one tael of silver, and the squad leaders will receive five taels. These will be distributed tomorrow."

In an instant, the scene erupted in cheers, and the officers and soldiers knelt in thanks. One tael of silver could be exchanged for at least a thousand coins, enough to buy twenty to thirty stones of grain, which could sustain a family for several months. Military service was a form of corvée labor, conscripted by the imperial court without pay, with only occasional meager subsidies. Sometimes soldiers even had to provide their own food and money, making life incredibly difficult. Unlike yamen runners—who were also conscripted but received monthly subsidies and opportunities to earn extra—the only benefit for soldiers was the reduction of taxes and labor duties for their families. As for rewards, they were exceedingly rare. Even under Yuan Bailong, who lined his pockets whenever taxes were collected, the soldiers received only a few hundred coins, with the captains taking the lion's share.

The promise of this one-tael reward was enough to dispel the resentment in their hearts. Whatever happened to Yuan Bailong was in the past; they had families to support and saw no reason to cross this new Magistrate.

Cao Chen and the surrounding yamen runners were deeply impressed by Liang Xiao. This round of rewards would likely cost around eighteen hundred taels of silver. This Magistrate was truly generous. As the County Lieutenant, Cao Chen understood the importance of stabilizing morale, especially at this critical juncture when hearts were wavering and the support of the army was essential.

After signaling for silence, Liang Xiao regained his imposing demeanor and addressed the crowd. "By the order of the imperial court, I have taken full control of the military and political affairs of Pei County. Tomorrow, once you have received your rewards, you will follow me in protecting the borders and keeping the peace. Remember, military orders are as firm as mountains. It is strictly forbidden to take so much as a needle or a thread from the people. Any violators will be dealt with by military law; those who commit serious crimes will be executed on the spot!"

"In other words: for the past ten years, Yuan Bailong ruled with an iron fist, but from this day forward, his methods are no longer valid here! I can forgive you for being forced to obey him in the past, but from now on, you must follow my orders alone."

"If you have committed crimes in the past, you may turn yourselves in for leniency and a chance to redeem your merits. If you conceal your past and it is later uncovered, your punishment will be doubled! Whistleblowing is permitted, and those who successfully report crimes will be rewarded!"

The crowd felt a chill, and they quickly pledged their obedience. Liang Xiao was satisfied. Before coming, he had questioned Cao Chen, the Chief Clerk Wang, and the Personnel Officer Huang separately to gain a more accurate picture. Their explanations were largely the same: the garrison troops usually followed Yuan Bailong’s lead, but they were regular soldiers who, at most, engaged in petty bullying or sponging meals—that was the limit of their transgressions. As for rape, murder, or robbery, they certainly wouldn't dare; if such cases were officially filed, even a local despot like Yuan Bailong would not risk shielding a common soldier. After all, the soldiers were also of common origin.

However, these soldiers were used to being lazy and only pleasing Yuan Bailong to protect themselves, so their combat effectiveness and character remained questionable. Once the situation stabilized and he had enough new recruits, he would need to replace some of them as soon as possible, especially the three chief captains.

While Liang Xiao observed the crowd, the crowd observed him. This Magistrate was indeed different from Yuan Bailong, and certainly incomparable to the previous incumbents. Now, they only hoped that the Magistrate would keep his word and distribute the silver tomorrow.

After pacifying the soldiers, Liang Xiao called out to the crowd, "Cao Chen, Liang Pin, Liang De, come to the platform!"

Liang De, the younger brother of Liang Pin, was the one who had been slapped when Situ Yinghao occupied the manor. He had been the first to run and inform Liang Xiao. Both brothers and their families lived in the Liang residence and were fiercely loyal to him.

Once the three reached the platform, Liang Xiao announced, "I hereby appoint Liang De as the Military Officer. Liang Pin and Cao Chen will manage the garrison troops as County Lieutenants. The Military Officer will be responsible for military service and assisting the Lieutenants, while the chief captains will only supervise discipline when the troops are in action."

The three chief captains, having just received Liang Xiao’s favor, had no choice but to comply with the change in authority. After all, these were the proper duties of the Lieutenants and the Military Officer; they had only been sidelined by Yuan Bailong previously. Since the three of them had helped Yuan Bailong control the army, Liang Xiao would never trust them easily.

Cao Chen, rewarded for his service, was in high spirits. Seeing Liang Xiao signal him, he eagerly introduced Liang Pin and Liang De to the crowd with great enthusiasm. Building a good relationship with the Magistrate’s confidants was a top priority for him.

Liang Xiao left Liang De and Cao Chen behind, along with two imperial guards who had already received their rewards and a group of yamen runners, to keep watch over the garrison and prevent any trouble. Liang Pin, meanwhile, returned to the county office with Liang Xiao.

At this time, Zhuo Zifang had finished assessing the Pei County officials and led them to report to Liang Xiao. Liang Xiao first instructed Zhuo Zifang to reassure the officials, then kept only Liang Pin and pressed ten one-hundred-tael silver notes into his hand.

"Master, this is..." Liang Pin was startled.

Liang Xiao said solemnly, "You and your brother, along with Zifang, are the people I trust most. There is a critical task ahead, and I can rely on no one else."