Chapter 7: The Official Reorganization of the Logistics Corps

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“Big brother, are you planning to stay in Beiping City together with father-in-law?” Zhu Zheng’s expression turned serious as well.

“The reason Father has reached his current position is entirely due to the great favor and promotion from His Highness the Prince of Yan. Therefore, Father will not abandon the Prince of Yan.”

“As a son, I cannot forsake my father and leave,” Guo You replied solemnly. After speaking, he looked at Zhu Zheng earnestly. “But you are different; you do not need to be involved in this.”

“Sister’s husband.”

“No nonsense, I won’t say much.”

“After leaving Beiping City, take good care of Yu’er and the others, and lead them to live well.”

Upon saying this, Guo You looked somewhat sorrowful.

After all, this time he specifically came to see Zhu Zheng’s family off.

Seeing this,

A touch of emotion surfaced on Zhu Zheng’s face.

However,

Zhu Zheng smiled and replied: “Big brother! The world of the Ming Dynasty is vast, but if the Prince of Yan truly falls, where can we hide? It’s better to take a chance; let our family share life and death together.”

“You want us to flee while you stay behind?”

“I simply cannot do that.”

Hearing this,

Guo You frowned: “Are you really planning to stay?”

“Although Father supports the Prince of Yan, this rebellion—no, this ‘purging the court’—our chances of success are less than ten percent.”

“It’s almost certain death!”

“A pointless sacrifice.”

“Qi’er and Xi’er are still young; they shouldn’t be dragged into this.”

“These were Father’s exact words.”

Guo You lowered his voice and spoke earnestly.

“Big brother.”

“I won’t say any more nonsense.”

“As long as we remain within Beiping City, within Beiping Prefecture, there will be no chance to choose.”

“I won’t say any more unnecessary words.”

“Please go back and tell father-in-law that this time, I will respond to the Prince of Yan’s reorganization and will not leave.”

“Our family, in life and death together.”

“If it truly reaches an irreparable point, I will ensure Qi’er and Xi’er remain safe,” Zhu Zheng said seriously.

“You…”

Seeing Zhu Zheng’s confidence and resolve now, Guo You was at a loss for words.

“All right, big brother.”

“Go back and inform father-in-law.”

“I’ll rest a while first; I still need to head to the prefecture office to assemble,” Zhu Zheng said with a smile.

Seeing this,

Guo You sighed deeply, looked at Zhu Zheng with a heavy gaze, nodded, and said no more.

Today,

Zhu Zheng seemed very different from usual.

After Guo You left,

“Yu’er.”

“Father-in-law asked us to leave Beiping City just now, but I refused,” Zhu Zheng told Guo Yu’er.

“Husband, since you have made your decision, our family will always be together,” Guo Yu’er replied softly, neither hysterical nor fearful, only full of trust in Zhu Zheng.

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…

Guo Mansion!

“Zhu Zheng refused to leave?” Guo Zi looked at the returning Guo You, a trace of surprise on his face.

“Father.”

“Today, brother-in-law seemed different from before.”

“But I can be certain he is serious,” Guo You said gravely.

“Sigh.”

Guo Zi sighed and shook his head helplessly. “Fine, fine! Keep a close watch on Yu’er and the others. If there’s any change in Beiping City later, order someone to send them away.”

“Yes,” Guo You immediately acknowledged.

…

In front of the Beiping Prefecture Office!

The time for the noon assembly ordered by Zhang Fu approached.

At this moment,

Many clerks had already gathered.

Zhu Zheng was among them.

“Brother Zheng.”

As soon as Zhu Zheng arrived, several of his subordinate clerks gathered around.

“No one ran?”

Zhu Zheng glanced around and smiled.

All ten of his subordinates had arrived; not a single one had fled, which was quite unusual.

“Well, Beiping City is sealed off; where could they run to?”

“Moreover,”

“We obey the orders of His Highness the Prince of Yan. Who dares refuse?”

The clerks laughed in response.

Perhaps in their hearts,

Many clerks had some suspicions.

But most were unclear about the real situation.

After all, Zhu Di’s true rebellion would not be openly called a rebellion; it was called the ‘Campaign to Pacify the Realm’ and ‘Purging the Court.’

This was enough to convince the troops that the Yan army was just and righteous.

The rank-and-file soldiers would not know the true background.

Only some inside the prefecture office were more informed, which is why such rumors spread among the clerks.

At this moment!

The sound of marching footsteps came.

Over a thousand armored soldiers holding long spears arrived.

Leading them was the battalion commander Zhang Fu.

Upon arrival,

He immediately surrounded the entire prefecture office inside and out.

“Here they come.”

“Brothers, stay calm.”

Zhu Zheng whispered instructions, then looked toward the prefecture office gate.

Zhang Fu, with a sword at his waist, strode to the gate and surveyed the gathered clerks.

“Count the numbers.”

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Zhang Fu glanced over and shouted loudly.

“Standard-bearer, receive the order.”

In response,

Over a hundred soldiers from Zhang Fu’s army stepped forward and began counting the several hundred clerks one by one.

After a while,

“Reporting to Commander Zhang.”

“According to the roster, Beiping Prefecture has five hundred and thirty-seven clerks.”

“Here, there are five hundred and fifteen clerks present; twenty-two are missing.”

A company commander respectfully reported to Zhang Fu.

“Those absent will be treated as deserters,” Zhang Fu coldly ordered with a glance.

“Standard-bearer, receive the order.”

The company commander immediately responded.

Then,

Zhang Fu stared at all the clerks and loudly proclaimed: “From today, Beiping City will be fully under military control; no clerks will remain. All will be managed as during wartime.”

“All clerks will be reorganized on the spot into logistics troops.”

“Former junior clerks will be reorganized as junior banners, each leading ten soldiers.”

“Former senior clerks will be reorganized as senior banners, each leading fifty soldiers.”

“Former company clerks will be reorganized as marching company commanders, each leading one hundred soldiers.”

“Bring it here.”

“Bring up the uniforms of the Beiping army and weapons. Everyone must remove their clerk uniforms, change into military uniforms, and bear arms.”

At the command,

Soldiers carried up wooden boxes.

Inside were boxes filled with Beiping army uniforms and battle knives.

Then,

They distributed them in an orderly fashion.

“It seems this logistics unit is not just for clearing battlefields; I bet if manpower runs short, they’ll be drafted into battle. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be issued weapons.”

Seeing this,

Zhu Zheng understood perfectly.

However,

Considering his own attributes, Zhu Zheng was not too afraid; at least for now, he would not have to truly fight on the battlefield and could develop steadily.

“Brother Zheng.”

“Isn’t this supposed to be a logistics unit? Why are we issued weapons?”

“Are they really going to draft us into battle?”

Zhu Zheng’s subordinates worriedly asked.

“Take it step by step.”

“Is there really any other choice?” Zhu Zheng said.

Compared to the others’ worries, Zhu Zheng looked forward to what might come.

…