Zhang Yaozu seemed to accept all this, Zhou Ping nodded and stood up.
"Zhang Yaozu, you remember, from now on, when you are training in Banshan Park, you will only have a code name of No. 13 and no name. Do you remember it?"
What little he learned from the officials and regulations of the Imperial City Division was used by Zhou Ping on Zhang Yaozu.
At any time, personal safety is the fundamental concern for potential lurkers.
"Mr. Zhou, I remember this!"
Zhang Yaozu was uneasy and nodded in agreement.
He has already entered Banshan Garden and is already a soldier of the Song Dynasty. Does he still have a choice?
"Okay, on the 13th, come with me to meet the other students. The other students have already arrived, and you are the last one."
Zhou Ping was in front, and Zhang Yaozu followed Zhou Ping and walked out together.
"No. 13, do you speak other dialects?"
Zhou Ping continued to move forward and suddenly spoke.
"I still have some Yanjing accent, but it's not very good. I learned it from my father before."
Zhang Yaozu reacted quickly and immediately got into the role.
"No. 13, say a few words and listen!"
Zhou Ping continued to move forward with great strides.
In front of a small two-story building, neatly dressed sergeants were heavily guarded, armed with guns and knives, which was intimidating. There are lush trees and green grass around the small building, and the environment is quite quiet.
Seeing Zhou Ping coming, the sergeants saluted together, and they were extremely solemn, exactly like the instructors at the Jinling Martial Arts Hall.
Zhang Yaozu couldn't help but return a less than standard military salute, feeling a little regretful.
He would never have the chance to attend the serious Jinling Martial Arts Academy.
Noticing the change in Zhang Yaozu's expression, Zhou Ping smiled slightly.
"No. 13, don't be envious! The training you will receive by then will not be any easier than that of the students at the Jinling Martial Arts Hall!"
Zhang Yaozu nodded and bowed, and Zhou Ping stepped into the small building.
"Go in. There are all people inside. Remember what I said, this is a military order. Otherwise, the consequences will be serious!"
"No. 13 understands!"
Zhang Yaozu gathered his mood and followed into the small building.
Entering the lobby of the small building, looking at the crowd of excited and nervous young faces, Zhang Yaozu discovered a few faces that seemed familiar to him.
These people were all undergoing assessments at the Jinling Lecture Hall, and it seemed that they were in the same situation as him. Unfortunately, he didn't even know the names of these people.
"Hello, students!"
Zhou Ping's tone was gentle, but it contained murderous intent.
"I don't need to introduce who I am. What I want to tell you is that the reason why you are using code names here instead of your real names is for your safety and for the sake of completing the mission in the future. So, who If you dare to use your name, you will be severely punished! Do you remember?"
"remember!"
The students answered one after another, with different accents, and everyone was solemn.
Zhang Yaozu did the same and answered solemnly.
Only then did he notice that many people in the hall were tall and dark, and they seemed to be from the north.
I don’t know where these people come from. Are they going to lurk in the north like him?
These private and personal matters are all military secrets, so it is better not to inquire about them.
"Everyone, you are all carefully selected talents. After joining the Intelligence Department, you will be the eyes and ears of the emperor. You will do special things, shed blood and sacrifice for the country, and solve problems for the emperor. Everything you do will be based on the emperor's will."
"Mr. Zhou, what should we do?"
Among the students, someone finally asked, speaking with a Central Plains accent.
"Half of you will stay in the Song Dynasty, mainly to implement the new policy for the emperor and clarify the administration of officials. The Anti-Corruption Department is for the bright side, and the Intelligence Department is for the dark side, supporting each other. Except for urgent matters, no arrests or criminal trials are allowed. These Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment will take care of the matter."
"Mr. Zhou, where are the lurkers who went to the Northland?"
Zhang Yaozu couldn't help but ask.
According to Zhou Ping, those who stayed in the Song Dynasty were to screen out military and political officials for committing crimes, not to inquire about public opinion. It seems that my worries are unnecessary.
If so, what exactly should those of them do when they go abroad?
"As you all know, I, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, worked hard to govern, implement the New Deal, and reorganize military equipment, aiming to restore the Central Plains and regain the lost territory of the Central Plains. Of course, the personnel of the Intelligence Department who went to the Northland were to collect intelligence, win over, divide, and assassinate local dignitaries to prepare for the future. Build momentum for the Northern Expedition.”
Zhou Ping looked calm and answered patiently.
He still had a rough guess about Zhao Hong's thoughts.
Zhang Yaozu was secretly relieved. This kind of thing is still a bit challenging. He probably can't really check public opinion and monitor people's affairs.
"Xianggong Zhou, if our army, the King of the Song Dynasty, fails to make the Northern Expedition, what will happen to us?"
Another student asked anxiously.
The Northern Expedition was a major event, and both Northern Expeditions by the imperial court failed in vain. The army will not send troops easily without ten, eight, or even ten years. God knows how long they have to wait?
"If that's the case, you will keep lurking until my army, the King of the Song Dynasty, makes the northern expedition. If my army, the King of the Song Dynasty, fails to make the northern expedition, you will lurk until you die and return to your roots in the north!"
Zhou Ping looked at everyone, his face as cold as water.
"How could I, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, have great talent and great strategy and not go to the Northern Expedition? But I, the Song Dynasty, have been weak for a long time and need time to enrich the country and strengthen the army. Some of you may have to stay dormant for six to seven years, or even ten years. Once you enter the Intelligence Department, you must be prepared to sacrifice, endure, and lie dormant for a long time.”
Zhou Ping looked at everyone and answered each question raised by them.
The reason why only thirty or forty people were selected was also the result of observation and screening. Only students who are quick to respond, eloquent, and have excellent psychological quality can enter the Intelligence Department for training.
It can be said that these people are basically elites.
"Xiangong Zhou, are the subjects we are learning the same as those at the Jinling Martial Arts School?"
Zhang Yaozu couldn't help but asked again.
He was really upset about not being able to attend the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall.
"You have to learn the basic courses, including surveillance, negotiation, demolition, etc. You have to learn most of the subjects in the Jinling Martial Arts Hall. Only when you pass the training and pass the assessment can you go out to carry out intelligence missions."
Since they are elites, the assessment is stricter than that of Jinling Martial Arts Hall. Otherwise, how can a group of cowards go out and lurk?
"Mr. Zhou, our parents and family will be taken care of by the imperial court, isn't that right?"
There are also students who want to have both loyalty and filial piety, so continue to inquire into the details.
"You can rest assured. They are well fed and clothed, and no one dares to bully them. But if any of you dares to betray the country for glory, the court will also take measures!"
Zhou Ping's words shocked all the students. Once you become a "traitor", your family's life may not be easy.
Zhou Ping was honest and answered one by one. After the students had no more questions, he led them into the inner hall. It was filled with tables and chairs, and there was a podium and blackboard in front of it. It seemed like a classroom.
On the main wall in front of the classroom is a lifelike portrait of the current emperor Zhao Hong.
"Everyone, this is a portrait of today's emperor. Everyone should recognize it."
Zhou Ping faced all the students with a serious face and acted solemnly.
"You guys come with me and kneel down and worship me as today's emperor!"
After Zhou Ping finished speaking, he knelt on the ground, and 30 other students, including Zhang Yaozu, knelt down together.
"We hereby swear an oath to sacrifice ourselves for the country and the people. Serve the country with loyalty and live up to the king. We will devote ourselves to a powerful Song Dynasty and die!"
Zhou Ping said something, and the students followed him by reading a sentence, making an impassioned speech, sonorous and powerful, and they read it out.
The same goes for Zhang Yaozu. He remembered that the words "Serve the country and the people, sacrifice and contribute" seemed to be the school motto of Jinling Martial Arts Hall.
"bow down!"
After reading, Zhou Ping stood up and led the students to worship the portrait together.
"Everyone, please sit down."
At the end of the ceremony, Zhou Ping asked the students to sit down, waved his hands, and placed the "Confidentiality Agreement" on the table in front of the students.
"Students, this agreement contains your responsibilities and obligations. Please read it carefully. What you do involves the secrets of the imperial court, so it must be kept confidential. You can also quit the Intelligence Department without signing it. After signing, , you are the soldiers of the imperial court. You must protect your home and country, be loyal to your emperor and love your country."
Zhou Ping said softly, with a calm expression.
Zhang Yaozu opened the agreement. State secrets, what he had done, the training content, including his own identity, could not be disclosed even to his family members.
Zhang Yaozu signed his name without hesitation.
Loyalty to the emperor, patriotism, and protecting one's family and country are what one has to do. It is one's duty to make a little sacrifice, and there is nothing to hesitate about.
The instructor beside him immediately took away Zhang Yaozu's agreement and handed it to Zhou Ping in front.
Agreements were accepted one after another, and no one of the more than 30 young students from the Intelligence Department was willing to withdraw.
In fact, the students had already made their decision before entering the small building.
Even for those who enter Banshan Garden and want to withdraw, their fate is unknown.
"Students, welcome to the Intelligence Department. On behalf of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty and the Intelligence Department of the Song Dynasty, I welcome you to join us!"
Zhou Ping stood up straight and bowed deeply to all the students.
The matter of intelligence was of great importance. The emperor was busy with everything and could not take it into consideration, so he had to step aside and make arrangements in advance.
Forewarned is forearmed, without prejudging the waste. It’s better to plan ahead than to improvise.
