Chapter 9

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Because Hong Xiuquan believed that the word "Emperor" could not be overstepped, there were only "kings" in the Taiping Rebellion, but no emperor. The Four Kings of the North, South, East, and West, as well as King Yi, were all kings. Even Hong Xiuquan was only a "Heavenly King." Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan was "Long Live," while King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing, was "Nine Thousand Years." Just from this point, one could understand Yang Xiuqing's position in the Taiping army.

The South King, Feng Yunshan, brought Vézé into the mansion of King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing. In addition to the guards, there were also female officials and maids in the King Of The East's mansion. Seeing the South King, Feng Yunshan came in, the female officials came forward to greet him. The South King, Feng Yunshan, asked Vézé to wait outside, and he went straight into the living room where Yang Xiuqing was. Vézé simply stood in the courtyard. His eyes were slightly lowered, and he completely ignored the women. This was not Vézé being pretentious. The Taiping Rebellion implemented the "Yongan Organizational System" in 1851, and the Heavenly State promulgated a series of institutional measures. For Vézé, most of these measures were understandable. For example, the Sacred Treasury system, the military merit system, and the separation of male and female battalions. These were very important measures in wartime.

However, the true nature of the peasant uprising was also evident in these systems. For example, Hong Xiuquan ordered the troops to be separated into male and female battalions, but he announced in the Yongan Organizational System, "The harem is called the Empress, and the imperial concubines are called the Wangniang." The concubines of the Heavenly King were collectively called the "Empress," while the concubines of the East, West, South, North, and Wing Kings were collectively called the "Wangniang." At this time, Hong Xiuquan and the five kings all had wives and concubines, and they lived with their wives and concubines.

In the small peasant system, whether or not one had privileges represented the level of one's status. If the superior did not have privileges, they would only be laughed at by the lower ranks. Vézé could understand this, but it did not mean that he could accept it. Moreover, Vézé grew up in a city with a large shipping company in the north. The local beauties were tall and slender, with almond-shaped eyes, and straight noses, and fair skin. This was Wei Ze's type. Wei Ze really couldn't bear to look at the women of the Princes' families.

What Wei Ze didn't know was that he had attracted the attention of the East Prince, Yang Xiuqing, the South Prince, Feng Yunshan, and the others. Originally, after Feng Yunshan and Yang Xiuqing finished talking about Wei Ze's food robbery, they were ready to go out and call Wei Ze in. Feng Feng As Yi Feng King As As Was as Yi As Feng Would Feng Was.

A nineteen-year-old young man, even if he was shy, would only deliberately avoid women. Vézé's nonchalant attitude was strangely mature. Feng Yunshan had always been in charge of missionary work and had seen thousands of people, but he had never seen such a calm and composed young man.

Noticing Feng Yunshan's strange behavior, Yang Xiuqing also looked outside. After a while, Yang Xiuqing chuckled and said to the guard, "Call Vézé in."

Vézé followed the guard into the living room and saw three kings in yellow robes. One of them was naturally Feng Yunshan. The bright-eyed young man in the middle was King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing. Sitting on the other side of Yang Xiuqing was the Wing King, Shi Dakai. Yang Xiuqing was twenty-eight years old this year, and Shi Dakai was even younger, only twenty-one. Compared to the mature and powerful Yang Xiuqing, Shi Dakai was undoubtedly a bit more immature. His entire person was like an unsheathed sword, showing off its sharpness.

When Vézé finished saluting, Yang Xiuqing asked about the situation on the road north.

"Reporting to King Of The East, the Manchu Qing have sealed off all the roads. Your subordinate avoided the road and walked through the mountains," Vézé said bluntly. Then, he recounted the course of the attack.

After listening to Vézé's explanation of how they had gone around to the back of the Qing Army, Yang Xiuqing and Shi Dakai were a bit disappointed. The northern and southern camps were the fulcrum of the Qing Army's siege of Yong 'an. If they could send a large force to follow Vézé's route to the back of the Qing Army and wait for the Qing Army's northern camp to attack the Qing Army's encampment from behind, it was very likely that the northern camp would be breached. Once the northern camp was breached, the Qing Army's encirclement would collapse completely. But Vézé had made it clear that he had avoided the sentry posts outside the Qing Army's encampment and chosen an uninhabited area. Even if they sent a large force to follow Vézé's route, they would still have to destroy the Qing Army's outer sentry posts if they wanted to attack the Qing Army's encampment.

Despite Vézé's explanation, Shi Dakai still couldn't help but ask, "Is there no way to send a large force to ambush Qing Yao from behind?"

Vézé answered seriously, "Your subordinate has already tried most of the easy routes. The northern side is indeed impassable for the army. Your subordinate has robbed the Qing Army's supply team this time. I believe that the Qing Army will strengthen their defenses. If we continue, I'm afraid that we will run into the Qing Army on those routes. "

Shi Dakai didn't seem convinced by Vézé. But since Vézé had put it this way, Shi Dakai temporarily fell silent.

Yang Xiuqing wasn't in a hurry to interrupt. He pursed his lips and pondered for a moment, then asked about the terrain of the Great Jade Mountain. Fortunately, Vézé had traversed the mountain several times, so he could answer Yang Xiuqing's questions in a more organized manner. From Yang Xiuqing's questions, Vézé could tell that Yang Xiuqing was unusually sensitive to the terrain. Although he didn't know whether the King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing, or Vézé's subordinate, Zhang Yingchen, was better at discerning directions, Vézé was certain that Yang Xiuqing was ten streets ahead of Zhang Yingchen when it came to using the terrain to arrange troops and commanding troops.

The exchange only took about ten minutes, but Vézé had already exhausted all of his abilities. Because he had never commanded a large force in battle before, several of Yang Xiuqing's questions put Vézé in a difficult position. After dealing with Yang Xiuqing's questions with much difficulty, Vézé felt that it was even more tiring than fighting a small battle.

After Yang Xiuqing was done with his questions, he didn't make any comments. Instead, he asked Vézé, "Does Wei Sima have anything else to say?"

It was obvious that he wanted Vézé to leave. Vézé hurriedly said, "I was ordered to attack by the King Of The East. I will now report to the King Of The East."

"I understand. You've worked hard, Wei Sima," Yang Xiuqing replied with a straight face.

Wei Ze continued, "This subordinate understands the brothers' hard work, so I would like to ask East Prince to promote those who are not corporals to corporals among the brothers who attacked this time."

"Oh?" Yang Xiuqing was rather surprised by Vézé's request. He couldn't help but frown slightly. The Southern King, Feng Yunshan, also found Vézé's strange request strange. On the other hand, the Wing King, Shi Dakai's expression didn't change. He just stared at Vézé.

Yang Xiuqing said, "Wei Sima, if we were to talk about military merits, I'm afraid these brothers might not all be promoted to corporals."

Vézé replied seriously, "Reporting to the King Of The East. This subordinate requests to continue leading the troops to harass the Qing army's supply routes. This time, I asked Dong Wang to promote our brothers. Firstly, it will reassure our brothers. Secondly, we will be promoted to sergeant. When we go out, we will be able to receive more rations. "

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom implemented a public sharing system. The national treasury? The Taiping Rebellion used all wealth as a gift from God? The Taiping Rebellion used all wealth as a gift from God? In the beginning, it was stipulated that only God could be sanctified? Hence, the public storehouse was called the Holy Storehouse. The living needs of generals and soldiers? The public storehouse supplied. The type and standard of supply? Rations? Oil? Salt, regardless of age? Everyone was supplied the same amount? Meat supplied? Below the heavenly king level, there was a difference in the amount each day. When Vézé and the others went out, according to their ranks, corporals would receive more rations than ordinary soldiers.

Yang Xiuqing didn't answer immediately. He stared at Vézé for a while before asking, "Wei Sima only promoted brothers to corporals, but didn't say who could be Sima. I don't know if Major Wei thinks that the contribution of your corporal is outstanding? "

The thirty-seven year old Feng Yunshan didn't say anything after hearing these harsh words, but the twenty-one year old Wing King, Shi Dakai, couldn't help but chuckle. Yang Xiuqing's meaning was very straightforward. He was implicitly accusing Vézé of wanting to promote him. When Vézé saw the King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing, he immediately rushed to promote. Shi Dakai was obviously amused.

Vézé was unmoved. He replied seriously, "Reporting to the King Of The East, whether corporals should be promoted to Sima is up to you, King Of The East. As a Sima, I naturally can't say anything about it. My subordinates are all old brothers from Guangxi. Without them, I won't be able to fight well. That's why I don't want them to leave. There are only a few days left before New Year's Eve. I feel that the leaders of Qing Yao will send a lot of rations to reward their subordinates. If we rush to ambush them now, we might still have a chance to succeed. During this march, the rations I received from the Holy Storehouse have been used up along the way. If I can be promoted to corporal, I can receive more rations. Besides, my subordinates fought hard against the enemy. I feel that based on their contributions and the hard work they put in during the march, I can be promoted to corporal. "

Hearing Vézé's defense, Shi Dakai didn't laugh this time. He just looked at Vézé, then at Yang Xiuqing.

Vézé was actually a little nervous, but he spoke from the bottom of his heart. This was the best time to ambush them. It would be a pity if they let this opportunity slip by.

Yang Xiuqing didn't reply immediately. He seemed to be thinking about something. Just as Vézé thought that Yang Xiuqing would refuse, he heard Yang Xiuqing say, "Sima Wei, since I've announced the military contribution system, as a Sima, you naturally have to report your meritorious brothers to me. However, you can't promote all your brothers to corporal. Since you've already taken that path, I will promote you to Soldier Captain. I will replenish your men tomorrow. For the next few days, focus on scouting the north. It would be best if you can find a path for the army to pass through. If you can't, at least attack the Qing Army's supply lines so that they won't be able to eat or sleep well. If you can get back what you want this time, I will promote all the brothers you brought this time to the rank of corporal. "

Before meeting with Yang Xiuqing, Vézé had hoped to take on the task of attacking the Qing Army's supply lines. No matter what, Vézé had hoped to gain as much freedom as possible. Now that he had received Yang Xiuqing's order, even if his efforts to promote his brothers didn't succeed immediately, he had promoted Vézé. As a Soldier Captain, Vézé could assign his subordinates positions. Of course, this was Yang Xiuqing's final order. Vézé didn't say anything else. He bowed and said, "As the King Of The East commands!"

Just as Wei Ze was about to step back, he heard Feng Yunshan ask, "Brother Wei, since you've made such a great contribution, I remember that you were promoted to the rank of Sima because of your contribution of capturing eight forts. Since you're a hero of the Taiping army, what do you think about defeating Qing Yao? "

Vézé's heart skipped a beat. Feng Yunshan didn't express his opinion on Vézé's military suggestions, but that didn't mean that Feng Yunshan didn't take Vézé's words into consideration. It was obvious that he wanted Vézé to repeat what he said to Yang Xiuqing.

There were about ten thousand soldiers in the Taiping Rebellion who could fight. According to the military system of the Taiping Rebellion, a five-man unit was led by a five-man commander. A five-man unit was led by a two-man commander. A four-man unit was led by a pawn commander. Only when the pawns were there would there be subordinates. One pawn had 104 people. Vézé, who had just been appointed as a Soldier Captain less than ten minutes ago, wasn't in charge of one percent of the armed forces. Vézé knew that an officer of such a rank would be asking for trouble if he were to participate in the Taiping Rebellion's grand strategy.

However, he couldn't play dumb at this point. Therefore, Vézé made up his mind and said, "I was worried when I saw the Qing Army approaching Yongan. I couldn't help but say something to King Nan just now. I just said it out of impulse and not after much thought. If there's anything wrong, I hope King Of The East, King Nan, and King Yi can enlighten me. "

It was obvious that this attitude was approved by King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing, and King Yi Shi Dakai. Even King Nan Feng Yunshan didn't think there was anything wrong with Vézé's attitude. Yang Xiuqing said, "If there's any strategy, just say it."

Seeing that the other kings weren't displeased, Vézé repeated what he had said to Feng Yunshan.

After listening to Vézé, Yang Xiuqing and Shi Dakai's expressions didn't change. Yang Xiuqing nodded. "Commander Wei, go and rest first. Tomorrow, after receiving your subordinates, attack as soon as possible. If we can snatch Qing Yao's grain transport team, it will be of great help in defending the city. You must do this well! "

"As the King Of The East commands!" Vézé answered.

"If we can snatch Qing Yao's things, we must first transport the gunpowder and lead. Wayne Brothers, you must remember this! "Yang Xiuqing couldn't help but exhort.