Xuanqing Guard-Chapter 49: Copper Cabinet

Early in the morning, Shen Hao arrived at the Public Office and summoned Wang Jian, asking about the previous distribution of merit rewards. Only after confirming that everything was properly implemented did he nod in satisfaction.

"Additionally, begin extracting some of the key personnel for separate training. From School Commander down to Soldier, everyone should be included."

"General Flag, is this to start a second Little Banner Battalion?"

Currently, the Black Banner Battalion only has one Little Banner Battalion; for the general flag establishment, it’s practically empty. Therefore, expanding the ranks is inevitable.

In truth, everyone had long been waiting for Shen Hao to raise this matter.

So as soon as Wang Jian heard Shen Hao instruct him to select some people for separate training, he immediately thought a new Little Banner Battalion might be added.

As expected, Shen Hao nodded directly: "The Black Banner Battalion has now formally established its foundation. There will be more tasks needing investigation in the future. With only one group, it certainly won’t suffice. Let’s expand one group first and see, and if necessary, continue expanding."

"By the way, my thought is to select the chief officer for the new Little Banner Battalion from either Zhang Liao or Han Xin. You interact with them most; tell me, who do you think is more suitable?"

Wang Jian did not hesitate, immediately responding, "Zhang Liao. I believe Zhang Liao is better suited to be the chief officer of the new Little Banner Battalion."

As for why Wang Jian favored Zhang Liao, he did not elaborate, and Shen Hao did not ask, merely nodding his acceptance of this opinion, openly granting Wang Jian face.

"There are still some matters. Sit down, let’s talk while seated."

After Wang Jian sat, Shen Hao continued, "The Black Banner Battalion’s subordinate relationship will soon change. We will shift from being solely under the Li City Hundred Households Station to also being directly managed by Fengri City Thousand Households Station’s Black Banner Battalion."

Previously, Jiang Cheng Thousand Households mentioned that specifically, we would follow the Black Banner Battalion’s directives from the Thousand Households Station, while in practice there’d be influence from the Li City Hundred Households Station. The advantage is our establishment can be raised half a grade; the downside is we might get squeezed between both sides and be caught in a dilemma."

"What?!"

This was a lot to take in, leaving Wang Jian utterly stunned.

"That’s the situation. In a few days, there will likely be a formal order confirming this. I’m telling you in advance so you’re psychologically prepared. By then, your Small Banner Officer rank will become General Flag rank."

Performing duties as a Small Banner Officer, but with the Senior Seventh Grade rank—that’s half a grade promotion.

"Does that mean everyone’s going to be promoted along with it?"

"Yes, the threshold starts at Small Banner Officer; School Commander and below are not counted. You can go ahead and quietly inform Zhang Liao and Han Xin of this news."

"Understood."

"All right. Oh, by the way, go find a blacksmith to make ten of these copper cabinets. I need them at the latest by the day after tomorrow." As Shen Hao spoke, he pulled out a sheet of paper from the desk and handed it to Wang Jian.

The paper bore several sketches—depicting a half-person-tall square cabinet. There was a small door at the back, while all other sides were sealed, with only a slot at the top: one finger wide and six inches long.

"General Flag, this cabinet is so odd!" Wang Jian held the drawings, swearing he’d never seen such a sturdy cabinet before.

"This is called a reporting mailbox. See? On the rear door, hang an array lock—only we can open it. The slot at the top is for people to drop reporting letters inside."

"Reporting mailbox?"

"Yes. Reporting mailboxes will be placed on the busiest streets of Li City, accepting reports from everyone. Then, we’ll sift through these reports and investigate the useful ones, and initiate cases if necessary."

Wang Jian couldn’t sit still at this point, startled enough to jump straight off his bench.

"General Flag, you mean these copper cabinets will be on the streets, and anyone can stuff petitions inside?"

Petitions? Shen Hao found it somewhat amusing. Wang Jian equating "reporting" to the "petitions" used in the Government Office was not quite accurate, even rather far off, though the general meaning was loosely related.

"Is it not permissible to put them on the street?"

"That’s not the issue! If we directly accept the commoners’ petitions, isn’t it against regulations?"

"Reporting means exposing and informing—not the same thing as your ’petition’. Furthermore, receiving a report doesn’t mean we will immediately investigate; as I just said, we still need to carefully sift and select."

"But, can this really yield useful information? And—and will the higher-ups approve?"

"At present, the Black Banner Battalion’s specific operations are still in a stage of feeling their way forward. What’s needed is for us at the grassroots to explore. So there’s certainly no issue with the reporting mailbox. Moreover, I’d wager these mailboxes will definitely bring in useful materials—you’ll be so busy processing them you won’t know what to do."

Wang Jian, uneasy, left to contact a blacksmith and cultivators skilled at making array locks—both talents were available within the Xuanqing Guard, so there was no need to look elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Shen Hao left the Public Office and knocked on Tang Qingyuan’s door.

"Lord, I would like to report a few matters."

"Oh? Have a seat, let’s discuss sitting down."

"Thank you, Lord."

Although Jiang had previously said internal Black Banner Battalion matters should be reported to Chen Yiyun, Shen Hao understood that as long as he resided in Li City, he could not sidestep Tang Qingyuan, so it was best to first communicate with him; as for implementation, that depended on whether it brought "benefits" to himself.

Besides, it was a matter of respect, not enough to rise to the level of "taking sides."

Tang Qingyuan was also a seasoned old hand, understanding these nuances without needing them spelled out.

"Lord, I’ve been at home resting these days, and in my free time I’ve pondered some future affairs of the Black Banner Battalion. I feel the Black Banner Battalion needs a broader source of information, so I thought to try a ’reporting’ system to see how it works..."

As Shen Hao spoke, Tang Qingyuan’s expression transitioned from relaxed to serious, his posture becoming upright.

However, Tang Qingyuan’s reaction wasn’t as dramatic as Wang Jian’s; only his eyelids twitched from time to time.

"You don’t trust the existing intelligence sources within the Garrison?" Tang Qingyuan’s words struck at the core of Shen Hao’s plan.

Shen Hao nodded directly, not denying it. This was indeed his painstaking method to break free from Xuanqing Guard’s outdated intelligence channels.

As for building a dedicated Black Banner Battalion intelligence channel? Shen Hao would like to, but with his current level of energy, it was far from enough. Without the support of a Thousand Households-level boss, it would never be viable.

"Heh, Shen Hao, your thinking is certainly bold—no wonder Households Commander Jiang sees you differently. Very well, since you want to try, go ahead. But let me remind you: those mailboxes best stay within your sight; otherwise, who knows what might get stuffed inside."

Also, before you take any action, it’s best to inform me, to avoid unnecessary trouble." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Shen Hao nodded incessantly. Tang Qingyuan was the local supervisor, so naturally he would not go against him. As things stood, even Chen Yiyun, far away in Fengri City, was not as weighty as Tang Qingyuan.

Two days later, ten oddly shaped copper cabinets were placed on the busiest streets of Li City. Their locations were prominent, with clear notices beside them to inform passersby of their purpose.