Chapter 27: The Reward (Part Two)

Listening to the jumble of questions from the crowd, Xu Kang kept a cheerful smile on his face, though inwardly he cursed.

"Wives and concubines? What nonsense! I'm still a child!"

Of course, he could only think this to himself; he dared not say it aloud. Otherwise, the courtesy name he had mentioned during his introduction would become a joke. In this era, minors rarely have courtesy names, and if these people discovered he was underage, it would be difficult to command their respect in the future.

Thus, Xu Kang had to invoke lofty reasons such as, "How can one speak of family when the Yellow Turbans have not yet been defeated?" and then took out small round tokens from his box, distributing one to each of the men who had been asking irrelevant questions.

Not all were so frivolous, however. One village leader raised a question of depth:

"Why, when there are already squad leaders and section leaders, must you appoint a group leader?"

Everyone present wanted to ask this, but none wished to be the first. Xu Kang understood, so upon hearing the question, he rewarded the bold leader with ten tokens, then explained patiently.

"You ask well. There's one thing you must understand: squad leader and section leader are merely titles, not official positions. The group leader is different. Like you village leaders, they are, in essence, officials. The two are not the same. Do you understand?"

"What?"

His explanation shocked everyone, especially Zhao Hong, who rose abruptly.

"Sir, are you serious? If these group leaders are officials, will the court approve? What about their salaries? This is no matter for jest!"

He was truly anxious, fearing Xu Kang might speak carelessly and unsettle the troops. Discontent among the soldiers was one thing; rebellion would be disastrous. The chance was small, but not negligible.

Seeing Zhao Hong's nervousness, Xu Kang guessed his concern and smiled again.

"Ha, Zhao Hong, be at ease. I know what I'm doing."

He looked around, addressing the assembly once more.

"I know you have questions, much like Zhao Hong's. Let me be clear: I am not joking. If you can prove you are worthy of the position, I can grant you what you seek."

His resolute words prompted Zhang Cheng, another district military commander who had remained silent, to rise and salute.

"Then, sir, may I boldly ask: if these group leaders truly prove themselves, what will you do?"

All eyes once again turned to Xu Kang.

Especially those who had just become group leaders—the former section leaders. Their eyes brimmed with hope and longing, tinged with unease. Not that they were obsessed with authority, but in this era, ordinary farmers suffered greatly.

Though the official tax was one in thirty, myriad additional levies meant that a year's harvest barely fed them for half that year. The rest of the time, they had to find other ways—living day to day, uncertain of tomorrow.

As squad or section leaders, the title "leader" sounded grand, but after battle they still returned to till the fields and pay taxes. Now, Xu Kang spoke of making them officials; it was a turning point in their fate. How could they remain calm?

Xu Kang understood their varied emotions, so he paused, reflecting for several seconds before organizing his words and speaking slowly.

"You group leaders were chosen by my order, not recognized by the court. But if you prove yourselves, I will recommend you to the general as village leaders, even as commanders, to become officials acknowledged by the court!"

He looked around, noticing none were visibly excited, and smiled again.

"Ha, you needn't worry about the general or the court refusing. If that happens, after we drive out the Yellow Turbans, you can stay with me here in Changshe County—I will pay your salaries myself.

All group leaders will be paid as township or village chiefs: fifty bushels annually, with additional rewards for merit. I swear by the honor of the Xu family, never to break my word—else may heaven and earth forsake me!"

In this era, reputation was crucial; a vow was solemn, and no one would jest with their family's honor.

Thus, as his words ended, all the group leaders, village leaders, and both district commanders—Zhao Hong and Zhang Cheng—knelt on one knee and saluted.

"Gladly we serve, and together we will defeat the Yellow Turban rebels!"

They had said this before, but this time the feeling was entirely different.

Xu Kang sensed it too and saluted back. "Good. Then I shall rely on you all from now on. Please rise!"

"Thank you, sir!" they replied, and stood.

Once everyone was up, Xu Kang smiled again. "Ha, it seems we've gotten to know each other pleasantly today. So let's not waste words—on to the next round: prizes!"

With a thought, he took a box of silver from his spatial pack, opened it before them, revealing gleaming ingots.

The sight of the full chest of silver stunned them. Eyes widened; the room filled with gasps.

"Hiss... Is this... silver?"

"It is! I once saw some at the general's estate; it looks just like this. I cannot be mistaken!"

"Yes, yes—sir, you are truly extraordinary..."

Watching their astonishment, Xu Kang felt proud and waved his hand, smiling.

"Just some Daoist arts, nothing to marvel at. Enough wasting time. If you received a token—that is, the round piece I gave you—you can exchange it for silver now. One token for one tael. Who will trade?"

As he spoke, the murmurs about the silver ceased. Everyone looked at him, incredulous, but none stepped forward.

Xu Kang frowned, then turned to Zhao Hong. "Zhao Hong, you go first—bring your ten tokens and exchange them for ten taels of silver!"

He intended for someone to take the lead, but Zhao Hong showed reluctance, his words faltering.

"Well... um... sir, I don't need silver. Let others exchange first. Perhaps Zhang Cheng—he also received ten tokens from you."

"Uh..."

Zhao Hong's refusal surprised Xu Kang, and Zhang Cheng as well.

Zhang Cheng had planned to exchange his tokens for silver—however strange the tokens were, real silver was better. But hearing Zhao Hong, he changed his mind instantly.

"Zhao Hong never lets himself take a loss; if he won't exchange, there must be a reason, so neither will I!"

He saluted Xu Kang. "Sir, I too am not lacking in silver. Let the others exchange first!"

"Well, all right then..."

With both declining, Xu Kang couldn't force the issue and turned to the village and group leaders.

"Come, everyone! I vouch for the authenticity—each piece is a full tael, no adulteration, no short measure. One token for one tael. Who will exchange?"

He scanned the crowd, but saw no one come forward.

He sighed, resigned. "Ah, you mischievous little devils... Fine, if you don't want silver, let's try gold!"

He waved his hand again and, before their astonished eyes, produced another box. He opened it, and the sight of a chest full of golden ingots instantly captured their gaze.

"This... Is this... gold?"