Iron Dynasty Chapter 1012
Previously on Iron Dynasty...
Under the faint glow, Lei Ming's face changed along with the dancing flames of the lamps.
He rose to his feet, gazing into the pitch-black evening beyond the window, and declared, “I intended to reveal this tomorrow, yet since you've raised it this evening, I'll speak plainly now. In this campaign against Australia, the Emperor has indeed granted us substantial rewards. Should you wish to exchange the spoils from this conflict for territory, I assure you it's possible.”
Shi Yanjun burst with joy and shouted exuberantly, “Long live His Majesty, long live, long long live! Commander, grant me a rich tract of soil.”
“Naturally, though a stipulation applies. The Cabinet has fixed the cost for Australian land. Should your desired plot prove extensive, you'll likely need to add funds beyond your current earnings from the war.”
“No issue at all.”
Shi Yanjun responded without hesitation. During the prior Guandong War, authorities had granted him three hundred mu (roughly 20 hectares) of farmland, where he bought slaves for farming. Through the passing years, that property yielded him a full three hundred gold dragons in profit.
At present, he aimed to offload his Guandong holdings and pour every saved coin into acquiring ranches and fields locally. As he reviewed the details, fascination with the area grew on him.
The allure stemmed from the lucrative wool trade he spotted there. With the empire's industries expanding rapidly, wool needs surged too, making an early entry crucial.
Observing Shi Yanjun's thrilled visage, Lei Ming creased his forehead and cautioned, “The Emperor's benevolence is generous, yet it doesn't permit unchecked actions. Exactly due to fears of officers exploiting authority in seized regions, His Majesty extended this limited discretion. Furthermore, his longstanding rule persists: no commerce for military leaders or bureaucrats. Battle remains our core role, so avoid diverting excessive effort here, got it?”
Shi Yanjun composed himself once more. “Commander, have no worries—I won't overstep.”
“Good. Return and ready the rollout of slavery in Wales,” Lei Ming instructed.
As Shi Yanjun departed, Lei Ming rubbed his forehead. In his elevated role, considerations extended beyond mere combat to bolstering the forces overall.
Even though imperial decrees barred officers and civil servants from trade, curbing their kin and clans from such pursuits proved impossible. Expecting a whole lineage to go hungry solely due to one's appointment defied reason.
Thus, confronting this reality, the Cabinet resorted to decrees curbing family business involvement, aiming to curb leaders' entanglements, though policies always sparked workarounds.
Across the empire's growth in recent times, power holders inevitably leveraged sway to bolster their relations' wealth.
Such trends permeated the armed forces too, evident in the Guandong conflict.
Upon seizing that expansive territory, the regime desperately required inland folk to relocate for true dominion over Guandong. Hence, they pursued lavish incentives for valorous servants.
Consequently, numerous commanders and troops claimed vast Guandong estates, staffing them with bought laborers, fostering swift affluence in the area over mere seasons.
While aligning with official aims, the method unavoidably let leaders seize prime soils through influence. To counter this, authorities punished select offenders.
With Australia now under Southeast Military Region control, it tempted officers like prime bait. Yet for Lei Ming, the zone's top officer, it spelled headaches. Mishandling it risked accusations from rivals.
The whole realm eyed him closely, given the throng eager to topple his command.
“Sigh, how I long for those simple private days again.”
Lei Ming exhaled deeply. His earlier admonition to Shi Yanjun served the man's welfare too. He hoped to shield his battle-hardened comrades from north to south against errors.
Still, he avoided total prohibition now, as the Emperor's decree proved indulgent, entrusting him wholly with land distribution. Australia's immensity sufficed for imperial splits.
Hence, he mulled greater flexibility this round. Knowing Shi Yanjun's temperament, the suggestion likely arose from peers' nudges. When most stood to gain, careful balancing was essential.
In his reflections, Shi Yanjun reached his quarters. Upon arrival, army brigade heads, regiment leaders, and company chiefs swarmed him.
“Division Commander, what's the word from the Commander?” inquired Brigade Commander Gao Shunyi.
“Looks like His Majesty bestowed some leeway on the Commander. All can savor gains this go,” Shi Yanjun grinned.
Excitement rippled through the officers. Gao Shunyi pressed, “Division Commander, look after us kin this time. In the Guandong push, Commander Lei funneled perks to Luo Xin, snatching prime fields. We settled for warped melons and split jujubes. Now our Southeast Military Region claims all Australia. We can't let this prize slip to foreigners once more.”
“Hard to promise outright. The Commander urged moderation just now. He likely senses the group's aims. Our Commander rose from lowly roots, unlike Commander Lu who trailed His Majesty early, or Luo Xin's patron-backed path. Ease up on troubling him.”
Pausing briefly, he added, “Moreover, the Commander ensures no raw deals. Relax your worries. What's due stays yours; forcing the unfit yields nothing.”
Gao Shunyi grumbled mildly. “The Commander's overly cautious. Why fear? Dare any whisper complaints or hinder us, I'll rally my troops and gun them down, says Gao Shunyi.”
Shi Yanjun's countenance darkened. “Quiet! Should the Commander hear, you'd face grave peril short of death. Henceforth, ban talk of land, lest I grow adversarial.”
The officers heaved sighs, yet beneath Shi Yanjun's fierce stare, they dispersed to their posts.
Dismissing his underlings, Shi Yanjun relaxed with a breath. Truth be told, his spot was tricky. The troops charged fiercely in this clash, driven chiefly by hopes of pioneering Australia's lush grounds.
That's why post-victory, leaders probed the topic. Botching resolution could shatter morale.
“Commander Lei, you're a superb strategist, yet blind to folks' drives,” Shi Yanjun murmured with a soft sigh. Without safeguarding his crew's stakes, who'd hazard death again?
Eyes on the illuminated governor's hall, Shi Yanjun settled at his desk to compose the enslavement statute.
Australia lay in their grasp now, though court envoys would tarry long before arriving. Interim, they'd steward for the throne.
Come dawn, Shi Yanjun presented the nocturnal labors on slavery legislation to Lei Ming.
Glancing over it, Lei Ming approved with a nod. Skipping slavery remarks, he stated, “I mulled through the night and resolved to award you prime farmland.”
Shi Yanjun froze at the words. Had his superior at last awakened?
