Know that
The matter of this organizational structure, while seeming simple, is actually a highly refined art. Lü Kun, within the framework of the guard post, with slight modifications, has grasped the essence. Especially his concept of "establishing positions based on events," which perfectly captures the core of intelligence work: organizational invisibility.
Thinking of this,
Zhu Mo said, "Shu Jian, how will you set up these temporary positions?"
Lü Kun replied seriously,
"These past few days, I've met with Lu Hao from the Grand Canal, several honest and steady personal guards from the hundred-man squad during our time in Datong, some volunteers from the land reclamation efforts, and also some of the Qinu you released. These people are naturally reliable...
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The so-called ad hoc positions are also considered because these individuals are not officials, nor do we want the Ming Fa School Commander's Office to be tainted with too much officialdom. These people are, after all, civilians. When we ask them to investigate matters, it's naturally different from the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Eastern Depot... For example, Lu Hao, what role should he play? A Legal Officer or a Legal Commander? Neither is suitable...
You mentioned investigating the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories. I anticipate needing many people for that. These individuals must have someone to lead them, a hierarchy. They need to be able to report quickly without fixed positions. This way, when it comes to the Emperor and the court, we can explain ourselves. Otherwise, people might accuse us of rebellion..."
Zhu Mo immediately expressed his admiration—
Lü Kun is truly down-to-earth...
While his methods might lead to a bit of disorganization, as long as the core individuals are reliable, there won't be too many issues. If these people were given fixed positions, it would indeed be more likely to cause problems...
The people he has found are also very dependable. The initial hundred-man squad followed him through many hardships and are naturally the most trustworthy. Yin Xiaohu and others among the volunteers are also fine. As for the Qinu, as long as their character isn't too poor, they will support me... As for people like Lu Hao, making them "Legal Guards" should pose no problem...
Thinking of this,
Zhu Mo sighed,
"Shu Jian, to be frank, this morning I met with Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Han to discuss strategies for dispatching troops to the Southern Korean Peninsula, Annan, and the South Seas. Zhang Han was amenable, but Zhang Juzheng flatly refused..."
He paced a few steps and sighed,
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"Our future path will not be easy... Even if the Emperor supports us, if the Grand Secretariat does not cooperate and the ministers obstruct us, we will be at a loss... We must work quickly. As long as we uncover the truth and obtain evidence, the Grand Secretariat cannot refuse to act... In the future, a few of us must personally see to these matters. We will meet more often here at the Northern Training Ground. We don't need to pay much attention to other officials."
Mm,
Lü Kun deeply agreed and said,
"Since Tan Lun became the Governor of the Grand Canal Military Affairs, the officials in Hangzhou have not been as courteous to us as before...
Zi Xuan, they might act in concert, but they cannot do without the common people. If they smuggle porcelain, they need porters and boatmen. If they smuggle silk, they are inseparable from weavers and mulberry farmers. In short, no matter what they do, someone will see it, someone will hear it. If we start with ordinary people, we can always gather some information. For example, Lu Hao, let him be a Legal Guard. With a bit more money, we can surely bribe some peddlers and hawkers connected to the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories... What do you think, is this feasible?"
Feasible,
Naturally feasible,
Extremely feasible!
The Han used Chen Ping's strategy to sow discord between the Chu ruler and his ministers.
What can't be achieved?
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However, there was one more point that he absolutely couldn't figure out.
Zhu Mo immediately added, "Shu Jian, there's one more thing, uh, you need to establish a single-line communication..."
Lü Kun seemed to understand, "Single-line? Communication?"
Mm,
Zhu Mo explained, "That is to say, for every person in the Legal Guard, banner, office, town, or division, they only have one superior. Apart from that superior, they know no one else... Think about it, if the Embroidered Uniform Guard is also used by villains, and they find out, won't they take down the entire Ming Fa School Commander's Office in one fell swoop? For instance, if the Yan family arrests Lu Hao, Lu Hao only knows you, Lü Kun, as his superior, and none of the other higher-ups in the Ming Fa School Commander's Office. This is even more crucial..."
Lü Kun suddenly realized and blurted out,
"Yes! Single-line communication! Even if the other side investigates, they can only uncover a small portion of the people! Zi Xuan, you are truly brilliant!"
Zhu Mo smiled, "Not at all..."
He thought to himself: While the Embroidered Uniform Guard is formidable, what are they compared to later intelligence agencies?
The two chatted for a while longer about the details, until late into the night. They decided to cast a net first and investigate all the peddlers and hawkers connected to the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories.
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Lü Kun had been thinking about this for several days. He said,
"I've roughly calculated that the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories has around fifty to sixty thousand employees, boatmen, porters, cooks, maids, long-term workers, and short-term workers... Even after screening, there will likely be one to two million people remaining. Screening them layer by layer will be quite costly... Zi Xuan, you must keep this in mind..."
Zhu Mo thought for a moment and asked,
"How much do you estimate it will cost?"
Unexpectedly,
Lü Kun, who had always treated wealth like dirt, calmly said, "Uh, for this matter, we first need to win them over with small favors and benefits layer by layer. Then, for those selected, we buy them out with significant wealth and profit. With so many people in the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories, I estimate it will cost at least three hundred thousand taels!"
Damn!
Three hundred thousand?!
Zhu Mo never imagined that this person who never talked about money would utter such a astronomical sum in the eyes of a Ming Dynasty person!
He let out a long sigh, and Zhu Mo thought: If this is the case, we can drain ten salt fields in three to five years... It seems I need to go and raise more money...
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With this thought,
He chuckled heartily and said,
"Gaozu of Han used Chen Ping, spending forty thousand gold each time. To achieve things, this is the only way! Shu Jian, you go ahead and do it. As for money, we have plenty!"
He finally went to bed in the latter half of the night. Although he was still a bit reluctant, Zhu Mo felt very much at ease, as he finally had a grasp of the situation.
...
The next day,
As Zhu Mo was about to go to the Hall of Poets again to discuss further with Zhang Juzheng and try to win him over, he had just left the Northern Training Ground when a voice called out, "Young Master Zhu! Young Master Zhu!"
Zhu Mo felt the voice was somewhat familiar. Upon looking closely, it was Wang Ruxian!
Seeing Zhu Mo, he hurried over and whispered into his ear, "Scholar Zhu, secret envoys from several countries found me in Kyushu and insisted on meeting you personally. I had them pose as merchants, and they have all arrived..."
Oh?
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Secret envoys from several countries?
What the hell?
"Who are they?"
Wang Ruxian replied,
"They are from Joseon, Annan, and Bianluo. The one from Joseon is named Sim Ui-gyeom, who claims to be an imperial relative. From Japan, it is the envoy of Oda Nobunaga, Hashiba Hideyoshi. From Annan, it is the envoy of Prince Mo Gyeongjeon of the Mo Dynasty, named Nguyen Kính. And from Bianluo, it is the royal grandson named Narai Xuan... They all insist on meeting you personally?"