Chapter 164: A Freak Commander (2/2)
Junior Leopard frowned as he looked at the thick book, ”Excellency Wang, these matters are always handled by you. You should continue being in charge. When I see this I get a headache!”
”That can't be done!” Hearing Junior Leopard's words, Wang Datong's face lit up with joy,”You are the new Navy Commander. You must be very clear about our barracks' expenses; otherwise I can't tell you what will happen if something goes wrong in the future.
”Something goes wrong? What could possibly go wrong?” Junior Leopard was somewhat confused, his face was earnest. ”Excellency Wang, the reason why I came here is because of the Admiral's order, to lead the army to fight a war. As for the rest, I really have no idea about matters of provision and money. Even if you show it to me, I won't be able to understand. Why are you making things difficult for me?!”
”This...!” Wang Datong didn't expect Junior Leopard to be so frank, to straightforwardly say that he didn't know anything. It looked like he would act as he saw fit. Everything he originally wanted to say escaped him and for the moment he stood there dazed and dumbfounded.
”Your Excellency, you're the Navy Comander. There are some things you should be aware of. Even if you don't look at the account book, you should at the very least have some understanding of the Navy barracks expenses!” Wang Cheng spoke out at this moment and he said to Wang Datong, ”Datong, you should keep this book and tell His Excellency the rough figures.”
”Yes!” Wang Datong nodded, ”Your Excellency, this Navy has 496 people in total. There are three captains and 30 team captains. Every big team has 100 people and a small team has 10. There are 400 normal soldiers. The Commander and Vice Commander each lead one group of men and horses. Each team has 50 people. Furthermore those looking after the horses and miscellaneous stuff add up to 93 people. A soldier's salary every month is 500 bucks, a team captain 800 bucks, the captain and quartermaster 1000 bucks each. The total salary every month is 51,000 bucks. Adding on to both of the Commanders' salary, every month we require 55,000, which is 55 taels of silver!”
”55 taels of silver?!” Junior Leopard said softly, ”55 a month, then per year it is 660 taels. Are there any problems?”
”Uh, yes. Our navy barracks' salary is allocated once a year. Originally the set standard was 800 men...!”
”800 men?!” Junior Leopard was stunned for a while. He then understood and nodded, ”En, since it's pegged to the standard of 800 men, there shouldn't be any shortage?!”
”Logically speaking, with the standard of 800 men, we'll at least get 1000 taels every year. However, for the past few years, whenever the money has been distributed to us, there always is at most 500 taels. Hence, there are some inconsistencies!” Wang Datong said somewhat embarrassed.
”Why is it so little?!”
”Ugh, I don't know. Although this salary is distributed by the military,it gets cut with every tier it goes through. Heaven knows how much those bastards have gobbled up!”
”You should just directly tell me that you are short of money. Why go through all this bullshit?!” Junior Leopard smiled, ”Since you are short of money every year, how do you all manage?!”
”We take from one side to fill the other side. After trying to make it work for the last few years, I have run out of any more ideas!”
”What a coincidence. You guys are fine for the past few years, but when I assume office, you're unable to do it anymore!”
”This is a problem that's unavoidable. A few years ago, even though the salaries were not enough, we could still earn some extra money on the Luo River. We could receive protection fees from the merchants. Life was still passable. However, during this period, the water bandits on the river become more and more powerful. We were completely out of their league. After going a few times, not only did we not fish benefits, but we also spoiled the merchant goods. It had been a long time since anyone had come to hand over protection fees. Due to this matter, Commander Gao personally led the troops to kill the bandits. In the end, he paid for it with his life! Aye!” At this point, Wang Datong heaved a long sigh. The atmosphere within the barracks all of a sudden became sullen.
”So that is the case?!” Junior Leopard finally understood. He really didn't know all these before his arrival. This was too strange. This group of Navy soldiers didn't collude with the water bandits. They were beaten till they hid in the barracks and didn't dare to come out.
This was vastly different from what he thought. However, this was only Wang Datong's version of events. Even though it sounded credible, wouldn't it be a shame if these guys were to band together to play him and he fell for it?
Thinking about it, Junior Leopard turned his gaze unto Wang Cheng, ”Commander Wang, you're the old folk here in the barracks. How should we handle this matter in your opinion?!”
Wang Cheng smiled bitterly, ”Do we have any other choice? We either beat down the water bandits by the Luo River, or we starve together. There is no other way!”
”I see!” Junior Leopard nodded, ”Since Commander Wang has said so, we can only do as he says. I personally don't like using my brains. I don't wish to make trouble. Even though I'm a Commander, I'm used to charging at the fore of the ranks. Everyone here is my senior. If you have any ideas please put them forward. When the time comes, I'll just be in charge of charging at the fore!”
”How can this be, you're the Navy Commander! Besides...!”
”Of course it's possible. I'm the Navy Commander conferred by the Admiral. I have to respond to this cause. However, if I'm to lead the soldiers to fight, I'll screw it up. I'm myself am not afraid however, this concerns the life of the other soldiers, hence we should be more careful on how we deal with this matter!” Junior Leopard smiled bitterly, ”Okay, let's settle this. You guys come up with the plan to deal with the water bandits. I'll listen to you all. Just think about it slowly. Let me know when you get the results, and I won't give you any trouble!” Junior Leopard then cupped his fists and left the barracks. This caused the few people in the barracks to stare at each other and smile bitterly.
When had they ever met a commander with such a personality before?
Each of them sighed in their hearts. They didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse to meet such a fellow!