Chapter 48: The Source of Soldiers in the Kiln Village

Do you know, this place has not only become a fiscal black hole, but in every aspect—social order, economy, and more—it acts as a constant hindrance that stirs up trouble. Without its reliance on Linqing, every year it would absorb some laborers to carry loads on the canal and tow boats, and this place would probably erupt in rebellion from time to time.

Yet Zhu Cixian, leading Fu Rugui, gazed ahead at the brick kilns where flames danced and smoke rose, drooling with delight. "This is the finest source of soldiers!"

Workers are far better recruits than farmers!

"Compared to the more scattered farmers, workers can be trained into an army with relative ease." Zhu Cixian smiled softly. "I hear the Qi family army was formed from volunteer miners. The brick kiln workers of the Construction Division are seen by Yang Chuan and Liu Zeqing and their ilk as burdens and waste, but to me they are treasures!"

Fu Rugui understood at once, a soft sigh escaping his heart. Zhu Cixian's gaze truly set him apart.

Yet recalling Zhu Cixian's attitude toward soldiers, Fu Rugui grasped something more. If all scholars in the realm treated soldiers as Zhu Cixian treated scholars in the imperial examinations, how could they fail to see the subtlety of this link?

A faint sense of release mingled with helplessness, Fu Rugui spoke gently to Zhu Cixian. "Yi Ming, though this Construction Division kiln village is a treasure, only you and I know it; even the brick kiln men themselves do not recognize its worth. Poor hills breed ruffians. Once we enter, do not let them treat us as fat sheep."

Zhu Cixian nodded slightly. The world grew more turbulent by the day; villagers in the countryside were no longer simple folk but could become bandits at any moment.

Of course, Zhu Cixian had prepared for this.

Not to mention the old seventeenth trailing behind with more than a dozen knights and guards, the kilns ahead had also received the spies Zhu Cixian had planted.

"Still remember Zhang Zhen?" Zhu Cixian asked with a smile.

Fu Rugui recalled briefly, tracing a face that was rough yet shrewd. "Your old family servant?"

A murmured assent. Several figures approached from ahead.

The leader was Zhang Zhen, long absent.

This once-loyal, hot-blooded man who had gathered men outside the courtyard to fight when he believed Yu Jing and Zhu Cixian were quarreling now carried steadier composure and deeper schemes.

Only Zhu Cixian knew that the small family slave of old had been given a far more vital, far more secret task.

So secret, in fact, that Zhu Cixian had no intention of disclosing Zhang Zhen's true mission to Fu Rugui. For Zhu Cixian had recruited several capable hands from the Eastern Secret Service and the Jinyiwei in the capital, all placed under Si En and Zhang Zhen. The silver spent in the process exceeded eight thousand taels, solely to keep his own ears and eyes open and sharp.

Setting that aside, Zhu Cixian studied the present Zhang Zhen—his bearing steadier than before—and considered the reports received from him recently. He was well satisfied with Zhang Zhen's skill in handling affairs.

"Paying respects to the lord, this is the Construction Division's personnel, Li He." Zhang Zhen stepped forward, bowed, and helped Zhu Cixian dismount.

Then he paid Fu Rugui the same courtesy and made the introductions.

"This is my lord, the Commissioner of the Linqing Taxation Office under the Ministry of Revenue."

"This is my lord's closest friend, Master Fu."

Zhu Cixian inclined his head toward Li He, acknowledging the greeting.

Li He had meant to put on airs, yet the natural aura of authority radiating from Zhu Cixian instantly stifled those thoughts. After the old seventeenth and his silent knightly escort drew near, Li He remembered Zhang Zhen's young master's reputation.

The kiln village of the Construction Division was far from a haven of simple manners. Word had reached him of a wealthy merchant who arrived with a high price, demanding ten thousand red bricks at once; that same night three bands of bandits had plotted foul deeds.

The following day, when Li He went to the Construction Division, he found Zhang Zhen untouched. The man presented himself as a prosperous trader, smiling and negotiating the purchase of bricks and stone.

At first Li He suspected the three bands had chickened out. He raised his price in hauteur, angering Zhang Zhen, who folded his arms, rose, and departed without another word. Li He smashed the cup he had not yet touched.

Just then Li He prepared to seek revenge, three fierce bandits known for their ruthlessness at the Linqing wharf came crawling forward, begging him to spare their lives.

Because they had all arrived missing eight fingers—both little fingers gone.

All three.

Seeing the sight, Li He felt a chill race down his spine. He dashed to Zhang Zhen's quarters, immediately arranged for Zhang You, head of the Zhang family kiln, to meet Zhang Zhen, and took charge of hiring laborers and bricklayers for construction.

Zhu Cixian wasted no courtesy. Seeing Li He, he said, "This official came here for a purpose; I am sure you understand."

Li He was startled, remembering the message from Yang Chuan's messenger.

"So the adult wishes to… take over the Construction Division?" he asked, stunned.

Zhu Cixian narrowed his eyes at Li He. "In the Taxation Office, I shall give you an annual salary of one hundred taels. From now on, you may pretend the Construction Division does not exist."

Li He's frame shook.

He paid no heed to the dismissive tone toward the court. Who in the court could offer him one hundred taels a year?

True, the Construction Division controlled thousands of households and tens of thousands of people under law, yet Beijing no longer required tribute bricks. Even if anyone wished to buy, few would dare. What power remained to Li He? Even embezzlement was risky; thousands of men below depended on him for food and drink.

He dared not skim too much. Without funds from above, he already felt he could not control these lawless kiln households.

As the proverb says, barefoot is not afraid of shoes. These men owned nothing, yet generations had labored for the emperor's tribute bricks. Strike them and they could raise hundreds in an instant.

How could Li He refuse?

"Yes, sir!" Li He's voice trembled with joy. "This official understands, this official understands!"

Zhu Cixian gave a soft sound and fell silent.

Zhang Zhen signaled him with a glance. Li He scampered off at once.

With no outsiders present, Zhu Cixian spoke more warily and addressed Zhang Zhen. "Tell me the situation here."