Liaodong, in the camp of the Tenglong Advanced Guard.
Yu Tonghai and Xue Ping were sitting together, drinking tea while examining the account books.
"This yearâs total revenue amounts to six hundred and thirty thousand taels of Silver Coin. We need to distribute profits of three hundred and sixty thousand taels to the other three guards. Right now, we still have eight hundred thousand taels in cash!" Xue Ping said after reviewing the accounts.
Yu Tonghai stroked his beard and nodded, "What should we do with this money?"
While other garrisons worry about having no Silver Coin, the Tenglong Advanced Guard instead frets over how to spend it.
Truly, the Tenglong Advanced Guardâs structure somewhat limited the development of the Tenglong Guard Navy. Over the years, Yu Tonghai first expanded the docks, then built shipyards, and eventually manufactured a large number of warships and merchant ships. Yet he still had eight hundred thousand taels he couldnât spend.
Xue Ping thought for a moment and said, "How about we give the soldiers another round of reward silver?"
"Now? What about the year-end distribution?" Yu Tonghai asked.
"Er!" Xue Ping was somewhat at a loss.
Distributing reward silver to the soldiers would be the best way to spend money, but the problem was that this couldnât be done often; once or twice a year was already plenty.
"Letâs organize another fleet, then!" Xue Ping suggested.
Yu Tonghai pondered and said, "Forming another fleet isnât a problem, but we already have four fleets currently, and each of the other three guards has two, making a total of ten fleets. Including other sea merchantsâ fleets, we already have over forty fleets of various sizes!"
"At present, trade with the Li Sheng Dynasty and Desheng Dynasty doesnât require so many fleets. If we organize another one, then weâll have to engage in business in the East South Sea Domain!"
When Yang Zhenshan left the Tenglong Guard, he divided the Tenglong Guardâs merchant ships into four fleets, one for each guard. Itâs been six years since then, and the originally undermanned four fleets have now become ten.
"Then letâs switch to larger ships and replace some for the Navy with Da Fu Ships!" Xue Ping wracked his brains thinking about how to spend the Silver.
Yu Tonghai, out of options, said, "Then letâs do it. If the Da Fu needs replacement and the fleets need organizing, letâs send someone to the East South Sea Domain first to give it a try."
Navigating the seas requires experience. While the Tenglong Guard Navy has ample experience, their main operations are around Da Rongâs Liao Sea and East Sea. If they intended to head to the East South Sea Domain, it would take some gathering of experience.
Anyway, with sufficient Silver Coin on hand, the Tenglong Advanced Guard didnât mind making more attempts.
As for the thought of embezzling these funds, neither man had ever entertained the idea, nor was there any need to do so, as they themselves were not short of Silver.
The Tenglong Four Guards had earned a vast amount of Silver Coin through maritime trade, and the officials of the Tenglong Four Guards likewise had made a fortune through maritime trade.
Yang Zhenshan liked to blend public and private interests, and naturally, his subordinate officials followed suit. With the convenience of maritime trade and supporting sea merchants, they made substantial wealth without having to lift a finger.
It could be said that from the Commanders of the Tenglong Four Guards down to ordinary soldiers, everyone was rich beyond measure.
While they were conversing, a follower came from outside, "Two sirs, there is an appointment and transfer decree from the Ministry of War!"
Yu Tonghai and Xue Ping exchanged a glance, both feeling an uneasy premonition.
Appointment and transfer!
This wasnât good news for the Tenglong Guard!
Although it could mean a promotion, after the promotion, they would have to leave the Tenglong Guard and the opportunity to make a fortune like before would be gone.
"Bring them here!" Yu Tonghai immediately took the two documents and began to read.
He first looked at the Ministry of Warâs appointment document.
Promoted to Capital Commander, conferred as Deputy Director of the Four Seas Navy!
There was something off about this appointment document. First, it promoted him to Capital Commander but did not specify which Governorâs Office he was to command, which meant the title of Capital Commander was merely honorary without actual administrative duties. Second, conferred as Deputy Director of the Four Seas Navy; what was the Four Seas Navy? And what did the official post of Deputy Director mean?
After reading, Yu Tonghaiâs brow furrowed involuntarily.
Then he opened the transfer decree and read, assigning the Tenglong Advanced Guard to Zhao Wu Guard for deployment at the discretion of the Prime Ministerâs Office of the Four Seas Navy.
"Four Seas Navy?"
Yu Tonghai looked displeased. What was this Four Seas Navy all about, and why was the Tenglong Advanced Guard suddenly being reassigned there?
Xue Ping also read the two documents and was puzzled, "Whatâs going on?"
The appointment and transfer decrees naturally wouldnât be very detailed and wouldnât mention Yang Zhenshan, leaving them bewildered.
If someone else saw the two decrees, they might wonder about what the Four Seas Navy was, but Yu Tonghai and Xue Ping suspected someone wanted to interfere with the Tenglong Guard.
"I donât know. These two documents are too strange! Could it be that someone is jealous of the Tenglong Guardâs benefits?" Yu Tonghai said.
Xue Ping frowned and thought, "It shouldnât be. My father sent a letter a few days ago, and nothing has happened in the Capital City."
"Moreover, look, they only promoted sir to Capital Commander, but did not relieve you of your current position!"
Yu Tonghai looked at the appointment document again, feeling slightly reassured.
Not being relieved of his official post meant he was still the Commander of the Tenglong Advanced Guard.
"But what is this Four Seas Navy?"
As they were in confusion, another person ran over, "Sir, a guard claiming to be from Marquis Jingâan Mansion asks to be seen!"
The two exchanged a look and Yu Tonghai said, "Bring him in quickly!"
Moments later, two guards from the Yang family arrived, bowed and said, "Your servants greet Mr. Yu, greet Mr. Xue!"