SWDnovel Chapter 47 Money Runs Out, Army in Danger
Chapter 47 Money Runs Out, Army in Danger
No sooner had Zheng Mingsong left than Feng Qinlan walked in.
She now manages the logistics of the entire camp, and is busy all day long. Although she looks a little tired, her eyes are bright and she is full of energy.
"Brother Chen, these are the expenses for the past few days."
Chen Feng took the ledger. The handwriting on it varied in density, some crooked and childish, while others were neat and upright.
"I only audited the classes taught by Xiuwen and Xiuwu for two years, so I don't know how to write many characters. Uncle Wu helped me catch up on some, and he checked the accounts three times," Feng Qinlan explained from the side, sounding a little embarrassed.
"It's alright, as long as I can figure it out!"
Chen Feng casually agreed, his eyes quickly scanning the accounts.
The main expenditure these past few days has been the purchase of supplies. We need to feed hundreds of people, and we can't just wait for Zhengjia Trading Company to deliver the goods. At the same time, we are also purchasing grains, meat and other daily necessities from the surrounding villages.
This sum of money wasn't much, costing less than $100, clearly showing careful budgeting.
The largest expenditure was on military pay and resettlement allowances. With the addition of about 300 people, more than $1500 needed to be paid.
Of course, Chen Feng always carried most of the money with him. The money had not yet been disbursed; it was just listed out for accounting purposes.
"You did a great job!"
Chen Feng nodded slightly, handed the ledger back, and instructed Qian Biao, who had just returned, "Go and inform the new brothers to distribute their pay and resettlement allowances tonight."
"yes!"
Qian Biao hadn't even had a chance to rest before he ran out again.
Less than half a minute later, deafening cheers erupted outside.
"Finally, payday!"
"We've been here for three or four days, and I've started to think these Free Army soldiers are scammers!"
"Nonsense, you didn't receive your military pay; it just so happens that General Chen wasn't here."
......
In contrast to the joyful atmosphere outside, Chen Feng frowned.
This money was spent too quickly.
The military pay and resettlement allowance alone cost more than $2000, the purchase of supplies cost more than $500, and the bribes to Connor amounted to a full $1500.
Of the $5000 sponsorship George Dewey gave last time, only $847 remains.
If we recruit a few more batches of soldiers, we'll run out of money to pay the soldiers. It's just like the saying goes, "When the cannons roar, gold flows like water."
Nowadays, we have no shortage of weapons and ammunition, but once we go to war, there will inevitably be casualties, and the compensation and disability benefits will be a huge expense.
Can't carry it!
I really can't take it anymore!
As Chen Feng was complaining, Feng Qinlan added fuel to the fire: "Brother Chen, I've started working on the military uniforms you mentioned last time, and I've already hired more than ten female workers. We should be able to produce samples in the next couple of days."
"How much will it cost afterward?" Chen Feng simply lay down on the bench and casually draped his short jacket over his chest.
Feng Qinlan said, "I've done a rough calculation. The fabric for purchasing 1,000 sets of military uniforms will cost $700. The female workers' wages will be based on the wages of skilled workers in Malolos, which is $1.50 per month."
"Regarding the fabric, go and communicate with the Zheng family merchants to complete the purchase as soon as possible, with payment upon delivery," Chen Feng casually replied before closing his eyes.
He simply couldn't take it anymore.
I haven't slept a wink since the morning before yesterday, and the gunshot wound in my shoulder is still throbbing.
Seeing that he was exhausted, Feng Qinlan gave a soft "hmm" and tiptoed out of the room.
Wang Muning was angry because her bed had been moved to the next room. Hearing no movement from inside, she wanted to come in and whine to get her senior brother to move the bed back.
But as soon as she went out, she saw that Chen Feng was fast asleep and was still raising his hand to swat away mosquitoes, so she had to pick up a fan and slowly walk over to help him fan himself and drive away the mosquitoes.
Chen Feng drifted off to sleep, but a bizarre dream popped into his head.
In her dream, she was in a hotel room in the city of Malolos, where candlelight flickered with a warm yellow glow, and Marilyn was reclining on the bed covered with scarlet sheets.
She wore only a snow-white, tight-fitting bodice, the fabric clinging tightly to her body, barely covering her vitals, revealing her well-defined shoulders and neck and a slender waist. Her curly hair hung loosely over her shoulders, shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow.
Chen Feng felt a surge of heat in his heart, his blood boiling, and he instinctively stepped towards the edge of the bed, reaching out to tear off her unsightly little jacket...
"General! It's time to pay the soldiers!" Qian Biao's loud voice rang out at the door.
Opening his eyes, Chen Feng saw that the alluring Marilyn had transformed into the dull-witted Qian Biao. He smirked and said helplessly, "I know, I'm coming."
Wang Muning rubbed her sore wrists, and seeing that the person had already left, she swallowed back the words she wanted to say.
A large fire burned on the drill ground, and the soldiers sat in groups, singing the Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention with the veterans.
Frank and his men changed into short jackets and watched curiously from the side.
Third Platoon Leader Ren Dayong and Fourth Platoon Leader Ding Junkai also returned, and were helping the newly recruited soldiers complete their entry procedures.
Chen Feng walked up to Ren Dayong and asked, "Is your leg alright?"
"Reporting to the general, it's alright now!" Ren Dayong replied loudly.
The surrounding soldiers all looked over, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Chen Feng smiled at them and shouted, "Everyone, assemble!"
The soldiers already knew that their pay would be issued soon, and without waiting for their squad leader to urge them, they immediately stood up and quickly found their positions.
Chen Feng walked to the front of the line and shouted, "Tell me, why did you join the army?"
The soldiers paused for a moment, then began to whisper among themselves.
Chen Feng listened intently. Some people were muttering that it was for military pay, while others said it was to kill natives and foreigners. A small number of people had lost their jobs and happened to come across the recruitment drive of the Chinese Free Army.
Fortunately, there were many veterans among them who always kept in mind the mission of the Chinese Free Army and shouted, "Fight for the freedom of the Chinese!"
The shouts started off somewhat chaotic, but gradually became more orderly, and within ten seconds, they turned into a deafening roar.
"very good!"
Chen Feng raised his hand and pressed it down, and the shouting immediately stopped.
He solemnly proclaimed, "You must always remember that we, the Chinese Free Army, fight for the freedom of the Chinese people. This is our ideal and our mission."
At this point, he changed the subject and said with a smile, "Of course, having ideals alone is not enough; we also need to fill our stomachs first."
Upon hearing this, the soldiers burst into laughter.
Chen Feng took the cloth bag from his waist, pulled out a wad of US dollars, took the list from Qian Biao, and shouted, "Li Jiquan!"
"arrive!"
Li Jiquan jogged forward, straightening his back.
"This is your military pay and resettlement allowance for this month." Chen Feng counted out five US dollars.
Li Jiquan accepted it with both hands and shouted with great spirit, "Fight for the freedom of the Chinese people!"
"very good!"
Chen Feng nodded approvingly, having already memorized the man's name and appearance, and then called out the next name: "Wang Tiesheng!"
"arrive!"
.....
After calling out each name, the night had already sunk to its lowest point. Chen Feng didn't want to delay everyone's sleep, so he immediately ordered them to disperse.
Ren Dayong walked over again, his voice low: "General, the recruitment results today were not very good."