Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 322: Chapter 322: Differences

Returning to the Fengri City Thousand Households Station, Shen Hao began to perfect his own "pilot plan." This was a very good stage for him to display his "internal commander" abilities in addition to his "investigation ability."

At the same time, once this "pilot plan" is rolled out, it will also be of great benefit to the ongoing Black Water Plan. At the very least, he could take this opportunity to fill certain personnel gaps related to the secret agents.

However, the written plan still had to be submitted upward and await feedback from above. Back and forth, Shen Hao felt that it probably wouldn’t come to fruition before the end of the year.

But preparations for the initial stage could at least begin now.

Wang Yiming was now busy with year-end officer evaluations. These were, in fact, tasks that should have fallen on Shen Hao, but most of them now ended up with his deputy instead. Still, though busy, Wang Yiming harbored not the slightest resentment. On the contrary, he was quite happy about it, for this showed that those above trusted his ability and, at the same time, signified real acceptance.

"Vice Officer Wang, the Lord asks that you come over for a moment."

The door attendant called Wang Yiming, who immediately put aside what he was doing and hurried to Shen Hao’s public office. He knocked on the door, then pushed it open and walked in.

"My lord."

"Mm, close the door, sit down, we’ll talk."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yiming entered, closed the door, and sat down on the chair opposite the desk.

"How many personnel from Black Banner Battalion are currently in the Thousand Households Station?"

"Reporting to my lord, there are a total of five hundred and eleven."

Shen Hao tapped on the desk. After a moment of thought, he said, "Reorganize all personnel into two groups: Cultivators and non-cultivators. Then, subdivide them into smaller teams based on cultivation level and strength; those of the same realm go into the same team. The number in each team doesn’t need to be fixed, but make the boundaries clear.

Also, following the standards for street scouts, secretly select thirty personnel. Prepare the list and report it to me first, keep it confidential for now. I will have Wang Jian assist you in this task, with Wang Jian supervising the selection criteria and you in charge of coordination."

Wang Yiming hesitated, saying, "My lord, may I know the reason for this reorganization? According to what you just said, this division would greatly reduce Black Banner Battalion’s overall combat effectiveness, and it would also disrupt the battle array combined attack skill we have painstakingly honed."

This wasn’t Wang Yiming being meddlesome or talkative; rather, Shen Hao’s order was simply too odd—on first impression, it sounded like complete chaos. Uncertain, Wang Yiming could only bite the bullet and hope for an explanation.

Shen Hao did not get angry. He knew his words just now would be confusing to anyone unaware of the bigger picture. Wang Yiming was a principled man—it was right for him to ask. Yet if it had been Wang Jian, that guy would not have asked for a reason, only executed the order.

Such was the difference between Wang Jian and Wang Yiming in Shen Hao’s eyes.

"What do you think of Black Banner Battalion’s current benefits?" Shen Hao shifted the subject.

Wang Yiming only felt more at a loss but replied honestly, "You previously established several new provisions, allotting considerable allowances to the brothers under the pretext of stipends. All Black Banner Battalions elsewhere have followed suit, so everyone’s treatment is more than twice as good as before. Especially with regards to the consolation money, you’ve taken genuine care of the subordinates; everyone has seen it and remembers it.

These days, from top to bottom, there is no one in the Black Banner Battalion who does not acknowledge your authority."

Wang Yiming spoke the truth. Shen Hao’s tenure was not long, but not short either, given how recently Black Banner Battalion was established. Yet with a few strategic moves, he had earned the genuine respect of those below.

"Then, considering the assignments of the Black Banner Battalion, do you think they are easier or more dangerous than those of other banners in the Xuanqing Guard?"

"Well..." Wang Yiming pondered for a moment, then answered, "They’re all dangerous, but based on Black Banner Battalion’s current development and responsibilities, I believe their tasks will become even more perilous."

The Xuanqing Guard’s elite among the Xuanqing Guard—this was a slogan Shen Hao had advocated from the beginning. Black Banner Battalion was meant to be the vanguard, so once this was realized, they’d naturally be at the very frontline of risk. Wang Yiming followed this logic in his reply.

"Exactly. According to the original intent behind forming the Black Banner Battalion, they are meant to charge ahead on both internal and external fronts, facing the craftiest and most ferocious enemies.

So, do you believe Black Banner Battalion’s current strength is enough? Or, more specifically, is Fengri City’s Black Banner Battalion, in its current state, able to carry that responsibility?"

"This..."

Without waiting for Wang Yiming to answer, Shen Hao shook his head, "No. Take the recent Sword Emperor’s Tomb event for instance—the Black Banner Battalion’s overall reaction and adaptability revealed some issues, but at root, their strength was far too weak. They simply could not handle a high-intensity, high-risk incident, and in the end, they became little more than supporting actors, even burdens.

I don’t know what you think, but I have no wish for Black Banner Battalion to be bystanders when similar incidents occur in the future.

For this reason, I submitted a plan to Lord Jiang, hoping that the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office would select Fengri City’s Black Banner Battalion as a pilot program, focusing on forging a powerful spearhead force, at least one capable of handling the majority of sudden crises.

Of course, the spearhead needs cultivation resources above all else. Having you categorize personnel by cultivation is just to get things ready in advance. When the final authorization order comes down, we can move at once. Do you understand?"

Wang Yiming was stunned at first, then his heart began to race uncontrollably. He understood what Shen Hao’s words implied.

Wasn’t this once again making Fengri City the model for the Dynasty? Didn’t this mean being in the very eye of the storm, favored by fortune?

Anyone familiar with the Hundred Households of Shen’s record knew that he rose ahead of everyone else precisely because he boarded the Black Banner Battalion’s carriage first, riding the favorable winds. This left Wang Yiming both thrilled and excited.

"This matter hasn’t been finalized yet. You prepare, but don’t spread word. Don’t be hasty in informing the brothers either. If anyone objects to the orders, suppress them—just say these are my commands. It’s confidential business, so ask less, act more."

"Yes, understood!"

Having explained everything, Shen Hao waved for Wang Yiming to proceed, then instructed the door attendant to fetch Wang Jian.

Unlike Wang Yiming, who usually stayed in the station, Wang Jian was always wandering. Either poking around the Four Divisions or inspecting various secret agent training bases—he was so busy his feet barely touched the ground. Therefore, it wasn’t always possible to see him right away.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Shen Hao saw Wang Jian in the public office.

"Soon, the higher-ups will implement a new policy, increasing resource support for the Fengri City Black Banner Battalion. Go coordinate with Wang Yiming; he’ll help you select a batch of secret agents. Decide for yourself what kind of people you need."

"Really?! That’s fantastic! The Four Divisions have been expanding too fast recently—there’s a severe shortage of personnel. I’ve been tearing my hair out with worry. With your help, this crisis can finally be resolved!"

"It won’t solve your crisis. This can’t be settled in a month or two—you’ll still need to keep recruiting. This time, the people you and Wang Yiming pick—I want them embedded firmly at every key point in your deployments, not just as frontline blades. Do you understand my intent?"

"Understood, sir."

"Yes. These people’s ability isn’t the main concern—their loyalty comes first and foremost."

"Understood! I guarantee that each person recruited will obey your orders absolutely. Their loyalty to you will be unshakable!" Wang Jian bowed in affirmation, his demeanor serious.

"Very good. You may go—keep things quiet, and don’t let anything slip that shouldn’t be said."

"Yes, my lord. Then I’ll take my leave."

As Wang Jian withdrew, a trace of a smile appeared on Shen Hao’s face. He was growing more and more fond of such clever and decisive subordinates as Wang Jian.