On the first night of arriving at the military camp, under Mi Fang’s arrangements, Tao Shang met with the subordinates who would be marching on this campaign.
Inside the commander’s tent, a feast with wine had been laid out.
All four colonels, three commandants, and fifteen captains were seated.
The tent suddenly felt cramped and tight, with people shoulder to shoulder and elbow to elbow.
It was so crowded that there was barely enough room to sit, and standing up would almost cause people to bump buttocks.
Mi Fang and Tao Shang sat on the main seats, one on the left and one on the right, looking at the generals below, each lost in their own thoughts.
This was Mi Fang’s first time serving as the main commander.
He maintained a calm and steady composure, brimming with pride and satisfaction.
He looked quite pleased with himself, the idiom “spring breeze of success, horse hooves flying” perfectly described his current state.
Tao Shang, however, was not in as good a mood.
He was calmly observing these people below.
On the surface, each one appeared extremely respectful, putting on an act better than the last.
But what exactly they were thinking in their hearts, no one knew… Tao Shang was certain that none of them were thinking good things.
At the very least, they were definitely unconvinced.
In his previous life, whenever an important position in a group was taken by a newly parachuted person, everyone would comply on the surface but not in their hearts.
Outwardly harmonious, but secretly sneering behind backs.
This was human nature.
In the rolling red dust of the mortal world, who wasn’t a common person?
Those who weren’t common usually weren’t mingling in the human world anymore.
Everyone was human.
Whether ancient or modern, their psychological states should be the same.
Mi Fang was leading troops for the first time, and Tao Shang himself was just a weak teenager with no strength to truss a chicken.
These people had followed Cao Bao for many years.
Even if they weren’t battle-hardened, they were old campaigners who had at least clashed with the Yellow Turbans of Xuzhou.
Out of deference to the appointment, they had no choice but to bow their heads to him and Mi Fang, but those heads were probably not bowed sincerely.
According to common sense, the best method would be for Tao Shang and Mi Fang to bestow favors and gradually win over their true loyalty over time, building feelings through time… But with the campaign imminent, Tao Shang did not have the luxury of wasting time on such matters.
At a moment like this, a big stick was needed to give them a proper jolt.
“We are about to set out on the western campaign to join the alliance.
I, Tao Shang, have been ordered to serve as the army supervisor and will march to the front lines with all of you to suppress the rebels and punish the traitors.
Tonight’s meal, in my words, is both a farewell drink for the journey and a meeting drink!
I will get to know all of you and become familiar with your faces.
In the days to come, I will still need to rely on all of you to properly assist General Mi, achieve several beautiful victories, and not disgrace the reputation of our Xuzhou army… Come, let’s drink one!” Tao Shang raised his wine cup, and the colonels and commandants in the tent also raised their cups together.
“Suppress the rebels and punish the traitors!
Swear to kill the traitors of the state!” With that, everyone drank it down in one gulp.
The corners of Tao Shang’s mouth lifted slightly.
These people shouted the slogans quite loudly.
“Gentlemen, regarding this campaign to suppress the rebels, does anyone have any insights?
Feel free to speak.” Among them, a colonel surnamed Wu stood up and saluted: “Eldest Young Master, in this humble general’s view, this alliance is a very long journey.
A distant expedition will exhaust finances and manpower.
Moreover, Dong Zhuo’s forces are all fierce Xiliang troops, Bingzhou troops, and the battle-hardened Luoyang central army, far beyond what the Xuzhou army can match.
It would be better to feign engagement, sit back and observe the success or failure of the alliance, and withdraw at the right moment.” After Colonel Wu finished speaking, the people below discussed among themselves and nodded heavily, all expressing approval.
Tao Shang smiled faintly and said, “Colonel Wu’s words make sense, but when Inspector Tao issued the military order for this expedition, it was not this requirement.” Colonel Wu raised his head and puffed out his chest, neither humble nor arrogant: “Although the Inspector’s military order is like this, when a general is out in the field, some military orders may not be followed.
This subordinate has followed General Cao in battles for many years.
Whenever facing the enemy, General Cao always gave careful guidance and was never stingy with instructions!
In this humble general’s view, there is truly no chance of victory in this western campaign.” Tao Shang gently toyed with his wine cup and said with a faint smile, “Well said—’whenever facing the enemy, never stingy with instruction’… According to Commandant Wu, does that mean General Cao’s ability is above that of Inspector Tao?” Colonel Wu was not intimidated.
Instead, he thrust his neck forward.
In his eyes, Tao Shang was nothing more than a wet-behind-the-ears child, while he himself had killed people on the battlefield.
Why should he fear him?
“This humble general did not say that.
Inspector Tao is the leader of Xuzhou and naturally has his own abilities, but when it comes to military affairs and campaigns, General Cao is the foremost in Xuzhou.” Tao Shang said slowly, “Colonel Wu just mentioned that when a general is out in the field, some military orders may not be followed, but do you know that military orders are like mountains?
The Inspector has already issued the order, how can we not obey?” Colonel Wu said gravely, “If the Eldest Young Master insists on having his own way, I fear these five thousand troops will inevitably be buried in a foreign land.
That is a small matter, but if we force a battle and the army’s morale becomes unstable, it may cause a mutiny that will be difficult to control!” Difficult to control?
Mi Fang, listening from the side, felt uneasy.
Why did these words sound more and more like a threat?
Thinking of this, Mi Fang looked blankly at Tao Shang, only to see that Tao Shang’s expression had already turned cold.
“If you don’t go around talking nonsense, how could the army’s morale become unstable?” Tao Shang slowly stood up, his eyes already filled with chill: “You are a soldier.
Obeying military orders is your duty!
It is your heavenly duty!
If you are afraid of death, go home, hug your children and embrace your wife.
What are you doing here joining the army?
As a soldier, let alone being buried in a foreign land or wrapped in horsehide, even if there is a mountain of blades and a sea of oil in front of you and the military order is to jump in, you must jump!
Talking about life and avoiding death, fearing strong enemies, how do you have the face to talk to me about army morale?
With someone like you here, how can there be army morale!” With that, Tao Shang raised his foot and kicked over the table.
Everyone present was startled.
They had not expected this seemingly refined and young Eldest Young Master to have such a fiery temper.
After kicking over the table, Tao Shang quickly gave Mi Fang a meaningful look.
Mi Fang understood immediately and shouted loudly, “Come in!” The personal guards outside the tent almost instantly entered the camp, as if they had been prepared in advance.
Tao Shang pointed at Colonel Wu: “Drag him out and give him forty heavy military sticks!” Upon hearing this, Colonel Wu immediately panicked: “Eldest Young Master!
I spoke with utter loyalty and sincerity, you cannot beat me!” Tao Shang thrust his neck forward: “I am the army supervisor.
Who here cannot be beaten by me?
Beat him until even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him!” The personal guards came forward, grabbed Colonel Wu on the left and right, and forcefully dragged him outside.
Colonel Wu panicked.
While kicking and struggling desperately, he shouted angrily, “I am General Cao’s direct subordinate colonel of the left army, you cannot do this!
You… you… You have no right to beat…” Tao Shang sneered: “Threatening me with someone?
Sorry, I don’t buy it!
Beat him into a pulp, a pulp that even General Cao wouldn’t recognize!” They dragged Colonel Wu out.
Moments later, the crisp sound of “pa pa pa” striking boards came from outside the tent, accompanied by rhythmic sounds of the sticks and painful cries.
Facing the uncertain and doubtful gazes of the crowd, Tao Shang slowly sat down, looked around at the others, and said, “I have been ordered by the Inspector to serve as army supervisor.
I only recognize military orders, not personal feelings.
This western campaign is commanded by General Mi, not General Cao!
With a great battle imminent, respect the military orders and do your duty.
I hope you all have a clear scale in your hearts.
You must know who is leading the troops and whose words you should listen to!” After a pause, Tao Shang said darkly, “Have you understood what I mean?” If they still didn’t understand at this point, they would have to be completely blind.
What farewell drink or meeting drink… It was clearly a premeditated Hongmen Banquet!
The remaining three colonels, three commandants, and fifteen captains all stood up and declared their loyalty in unison: “Understood!
We humble generals will follow the lead of the army supervisor and General Mi!” “Good!” Tao Shang continued, “As the army supervisor, although I handle all matters according to military law, I also understand your difficulties.
All generals are marching far from home, eating in the wind and sleeping in the dew, shedding blood on the battlefield for the country and the people.
One misstep and it’s death wrapped in horsehide.
One must be fair in conduct.
Since you all have put in the corresponding hard work, you should receive the corresponding rewards.” With that, Tao Shang pointed at Mi Fang and said, “Your general has prepared a gift for each of you.
Colonels and commandants will each receive thirty gold, and captains ten gold each, as campaign compensation.
General Mi has also promised that if any of you sacrifice yourselves, in addition to Xuzhou’s standard compensation for your parents, wives, and children, he will personally provide an additional thirty gold.
I, the army supervisor, also guarantee this here.
With such treatment, you will have no worries behind you.” After a pause, Tao Shang added, “Of course, if any of you are unwilling, that scum Colonel Wu will be your example… Choose!” Mi Fang stood up and clapped his hands.
A row of personal guards brought in several large wooden boxes, then opened them.
The neatly arranged gold leaves inside instantly lit up the eyes of everyone present.
Everyone has integrity, everyone has backbone, but for most people, integrity and backbone cannot compare to eating.
No matter how fierce a general is, he is still human.
No matter how fearless a soldier is, he still needs to support his family.
Compared to vague and empty slogans, money is the most real thing.
Of course money cannot buy everyone’s loyalty, but buying the temporary loyalty of the people before Tao Shang’s eyes was no problem.
There are people with backbone, but they are rare.
Most people are still ordinary.
Money is the most vulgar thing.
It is called vulgar because it is the most practical for ordinary people.
The colonels, commandants, and captains looked at each other.
They all saw deep longing in one another’s eyes.
“If you want it, take it!
If you don’t want it, go collect your sticks and keep that scum Colonel Wu company.” Tao Shang said with a smile.
As soon as his words fell, everyone in the tent knelt down together and shouted loudly, “We humble generals are willing to exert our utmost strength and die for the Eldest Young Master!” This time, Tao Shang could tell that the shouts were truly from the heart, completely sincere.
“Wrong.” Tao Shang shook his head.
“I am the army supervisor and am not responsible for fighting.
The one you should exert your utmost strength and die for is General Mi.” Everyone shouted in unison again: “We humble generals are willing to follow General Mi’s lead!”