The two resembled the wailing of a father, echoing in the courtyard for a long time. Those soldiers who had been somewhat relaxed, now stood stiff as rods, not daring to look into Yang Ge's eyes.
Yang Ge, with his arms crossed, expressionless, continuously swept his gaze over these soldiers. His enigmatic gaze caused their scalps to tingle!
After a while, Fang Ke quickly returned to the courtyard and cupped his hands to Yang Ge, "General, the two have been sent back to the barracks!"
Yang Ge nodded his head and lowered his arms, quietly exhaling a breath.
The heavy stone that had been hanging in the soldiers' hearts also crashed to the ground with Yang Ge's breath.
"Alright, let's talk about serious matters now,"
Yang Ge softened his tone, speaking gently, "There are three things to remember while working under me."
"First, heed instructions."
"Do what you're told, refrain from what you're forbidden. If you don't want to listen, I won't hold it against you, but please go back to where you came from."
"Second, endure hardship."
"I know you may have previously relied on fighting and killing for a living, but from now on you may do many things unrelated to fighting and killing. To those who want to strut around in official clothes and flaunt official swords, my place is too small to accommodate you!"
"Third, don't cause trouble!"
"We all know why we're here, no need for me to elaborate. In the future, don't act foolishly, think more, consider your wives and children, and don't let bloodlust rush to your head, thinking you only have a worthless life. If you encounter a situation you can't handle, just come to me, and if I can't handle it, I can still turn to the superiors. We are doing official business, not personal vengeance!"
"Do you understand?"
The soldiers responded in unison, "Understood, General!"
Yang Ge waved his hands continuously, "From now on, unless you're dressed in official attire and armed with official blades, don't address me with formal titles or call me 'General.' Isn't that just blatantly telling others that we are government people... When meeting privately, call me Yang Ge, and when we meet here, call me Boss."
The soldiers replied, "Yes, Boss (Yang Ge)."
As the words fell, the soldiers turned in unison, looking for the one called "Yang Ge."
Yang Ge almost couldn't keep a straight face, quickly turning to Fang Ke, "How is the Northern Pacification Commission planning to arrange things for our group?"
Fang Ke answered, "Boss, our brothers are under the direct command of the Thousand Housholds' General in an independent banner, following the formation of his personal guard. The General intends for us to quickly take over the duties of patrolling and arresting in Luting County."
Yang Ge, tilting his head, regarded the thick-browed, big-eyed, honest-looking fellow and silently praised in his mind, "Looks can be deceiving, the sea's depth unfathomable."
What indicates true trust?
What Shen Fa had been hesitant to point out, this fellow laid out plainly!
But then again, how big a head does Yang Ge have to bear such a significant responsibility?
Yang Ge pondered for a moment, then asked, "Are there other undercover agents in Luting County at present?"
Fang Ke nodded, "According to what I know, there are."
Relieved, Yang Ge knew that Luting County, as a gateway to the capital, was definitely a hotly contested area for intelligence work.
For such a critical position, if everything was handed over to him without allowing any time for preparation, wouldn't that be like forcing a duck onto a perch?
He turned back and surveyed the soldiers who once again stood upright with chests puffed out in the courtyard, thinking over it for a long time before speaking, "I have two tasks for you."
Fang Ke quickly clasped his fists, "Please instruct me, Boss."
Yang Ge, "First task, stuff our brothers into the ranks of the Bian River trackers and have them pull barges. When they can pull like true laborers, they can come back!"
He didn't conceal his words, and all the soldiers in the courtyard heard him. For a moment, a look of bitterness appeared on everyone's faces.
Fang Ke, following Yang Ge's gaze, surveyed the soldiers and nodded in agreement, "Boss has thought it through carefully; with their current energy, anyone could tell they come from military backgrounds!"
That was exactly Yang Ge's intention.
The so-called ultimate hidden agent is not one in formal assassin attire with mirror sunglasses and a silencer pistol, but rather one in work pants, a polo shirt, a white surgical mask, and a homemade gun...
"Second task!"
Yang Ge continued, "Ask the Thousand Households' General to permit me to obtain some public and non-essential patrolling and arresting archives for studying the work experience of my predecessors... It's best if they are from many years ago, cases that are completely closed. Definitely do not bring files related to current affairs, I cannot bear the responsibility for any leaks."
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Fang Ke looked at Yang Ge in surprise and nodded, "I will report back to the captain as soon as I return."
Yang Ge nodded and waved his hand, "All right, I leave this place in your hands for now. Draft a roster and send it to me later. I want detailed accounts of all the brothers' personal history and capabilities, not limited to martial arts, weapons expertise, military service, literacy, character traits, and family situations. In short, the more detailed, the better!"
"And remember, unless it's an urgent matter, you'll come to my house to find me at other times!"
Fang Ke took note of everything and nodded in agreement.
Yang Ge greeted the soldiers and then hurried away as if escaping.
Fang Ke watched Yang Ge leave, pondering to himself how such a capable man could be content with being a tavern's errand boy.
...
Yang Ge had just left the alley.
Fang Ke appeared before Shen Fa immediately after.
"Did he really say that?"
Shen Fa set down his teacup, straightened up in surprise, and asked for confirmation.
Fang Ke bowed, "I report to the lord, without a single word changed!"
Shen Fa slowly sat back down, staring blankly at the clear blue sky outside the window, feeling pleasantly surprised.
From his previous encounters with Yang Ge, he knew that this was a man who was educated, sensible, and knew when to advance or retreat.
But for Yang Ge to be thrust into this and still manage to arrange work so steadily and make the most of his time was indeed a very pleasant surprise!
He had initially worried that because of Yang Ge's youth and soft heart, as well as the lack of military and governmental experience, he might not be able to command respect from those former frontier soldiers. That's why he made a special effort to support him.
Looking at it now, it seems he had been overly concerned...
In his own interest, he pushed Yang Ge for the promotion to general banner not only to give Yang Ge an opportunity but also to test him.
If as soon as Yang Ge took office, he either flaunted his power or focused solely on honing the martial skills of his men...
Then no matter how talented Yang Ge was in martial arts, he would be nothing more than a high-level enforcer in the future...
"Someone come!"
Shen Fa suddenly called out.
A servant in green clothes hurried in and bowed, "Master."
Shen Fa took out a token from his waist, "Take my token and go to my official residence to retrieve my sealed...never mind, go directly to the document storeroom in the Northern Pacification Commission. Withdraw a hundred or so surveillance and arrest records as duplicates here and then hand them over to Yang Ge!"
Fang Ke, who stood by obediently, couldn't help but twitch his brows at the words "document storeroom" and then again when he heard "a hundred or so."
After Shen Fa's words were finished, Fang Ke gathered his courage, bowed, and said in a low voice, "Lord, taking documents from the storeroom, won't it be..."
Shen Fa waved his hand carelessly, "Doing business requires capital... Don't tell him those documents are from the storeroom; he won't accept them if you do!"
Fang Ke reluctantly replied, "Your subordinate obeys."
Shen Fa leaned back in the Taishi Chair, supporting his chin with one hand and tapping the arm of the chair with the other, murmuring to himself, "Yang Ge, Yang Ge, how many more surprises do you have in store for me..."
...
"You won't believe it!"
Yang Ge sat on the steps of his small courtyard, gently stroking Huang's head, murmuring not sure whether to be happy or worried, "It's all like a dream to me. Just yesterday, we were worrying about affording meat, and today, dad's an official..."
"Logically, this should be a good thing, right?"
"But I always feel like I've taken the wrong path, and it's getting further and further away..."
"What do you think, Huang?"
Huang looked up and enthusiastically licked his cheek.
Yang Ge helplessly pushed away the dog's head, "Alright, alright, I know you will always be by my side!"
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