This morning, a Soldier came to report that Gao Shun was requesting an audience outside the tent.
Hearing this, Zhang Chen quickly ordered the Soldier to call him in.
He saw Gao Shun enter the tent, followed by a sturdy man.
"Zhang He greets Lord," Gao Shun stepped forward and bowed, and the man behind him also quickly bowed.
"Quickly, you are excused from bowing!" Zhang Chen quickly called out, sizing up the two men behind him, and couldn't help but ask, "Xiaofu, who is this?"
Gao Shun replied, "Reporting to Lord, this person is a Soldier who came to enlist. Zhang He saw that he had considerable strength and courage, and thought it would be a waste of talent for him to be just a common Soldier, so Zhang He brought him for Lord to see, to see if he could be appointed to a position."
Oh? Recruiting Soldiers yielded a General?
Zhang Chen was overjoyed upon hearing this and sized up the man.
He saw that the man was burly, fair-faced with a beard, wore armor and helmet, and had a sword hanging from his waist. He possessed a certain imposing presence and did not look like an ordinary person.
Zhang Chen quickly asked, "May I ask the warrior's esteemed name and where he is from?"
The man stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said, "My name is Qian Zhao, courtesy name Zijing, from Anping County. Having long admired Lord's renowned reputation, I specifically came to seek refuge, hoping Lord will take me in."
Qian Zhao? It's actually him!
Zhang Chen narrowed his eyes, and the Insight Eye was randomly activated.
【Name: Qian Zhao】
【Possessed Traits: Superhuman Strength (Blue), Proficient Swordsmanship (Purple), Loyal and Righteous (Purple), Guarding the Northern Border (Gold)】
【Loyal and Righteous (Purple)】: You are a person who values loyalty and righteousness, and those around you can feel your sincerity. (1. When appointed as a military General, the loyalty of your subordinates increases, and incidents like mutiny or rebellion will not occur. 2. When appointed as a civil official, the morale of the city you govern increases.)
【Guarding the Northern Border (Gold)】: You have a certain prestige among the U-huan and Xianbei tribes, and both tribes have a high degree of goodwill towards you. (1. The friendliness of your affiliated faction with the U-huan and Xianbei tribes increases. 2. The probability of invasion by the U-huan and Xianbei tribes decreases. 3. The U-huan and Xianbei tribes will not attack the commanderies or counties where you are located. 4. Your success rate when conducting diplomacy with the U-huan and Xianbei tribes increases.)
What a talent!
Zhang Chen's eyes lit up. This Qian Zhao, although not very famous, was a rare talent.
Qian Zhao, courtesy name Zijing, initially served Yuan Shao. After Yuan Shao's death, he followed Yuan Shang. After Yuan Shang's defeat and demise, he defected to Cao Cao. After the Battle of Hanzhong, he led troops as the military governor of Qing and Xu provinces, and later served as the Yan Gate Prefect.
Qian Zhao governed the border commanderies for twelve years. His administration was clear and efficient, he implemented many measures beneficial to the people, and he even established connections with the Xianbei and U-huan, causing the distant and near Hu people to sincerely submit.
This person spent most of his time governing the rear and did not participate in many battles, thus his name was not as resounding, but his talent should not be underestimated.
This can also be seen from his traits.
The combination of 【Loyal and Righteous】 and 【Guarding the Northern Border】 allows him to stabilize both internal and external affairs. He is simply a born official for governing commanderies.
Especially this 【Guarding the Northern Border】 trait, which can simultaneously gain the favor of two foreign tribes. When You and Ji provinces are unified in the future, appointing him to guard the rear and befriend the two tribes will eliminate worries about border troubles in the north.
Zhang Chen thought to himself, greatly pleased, and couldn't help but nod and say, "Zijing, Xiaofu said you possess considerable bravery and skill, so you must have outstanding qualities. Now that a major battle is imminent, I appoint you as the Commandant of the new army, commanding two thousand troops. If you achieve meritorious service in the future, there will be further rewards."
"Zhang He thanks Lord." Qian Zhao was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately bowed in thanks.
Zhang Chen was very happy to have gained a new General, so he asked Gao Shun about the recruitment situation.
Gao Shun immediately replied, "Lord, in the past three days, a total of four thousand three hundred Soldiers have been recruited. Ten Captains have been selected from them to be responsible for commanding and training the troops. However, currently, half of the men still lack complete military equipment and can only use wooden sticks and other objects to substitute for weapons during training, which is not effective."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but frown inwardly.
Soldiers without weapons cannot go to the battlefield, but acquiring military equipment takes time, and rushing is useless. However, a major battle is imminent, and it's likely they cannot wait.
Alas, time is still too tight. Raising a decent army in such a short period is truly too difficult.
Zhang Chen nodded, only saying that he would think of a solution, and then ordered the two to withdraw first.
Zhang Chen pondered for a moment but couldn't find a solution. Feeling somewhat frustrated, he walked out of the tent, wanting to get some air and ease his mind.
Unexpectedly, just as he stepped out of the tent, he heard a noisy commotion coming from not far away.
Zhang Chen looked in the direction of the sound and saw Soldiers from two different camps gathered together, arguing about something.
Zhang Chen frowned slightly and walked over slowly, only then hearing clearly what the crowd was shouting about.
It turned out to be about the distribution of military equipment again.
He heard a Soldier shouting, "Why do you have weapons while we don't!"
Another Soldier said, "This military equipment was originally ours, why are you snatching it?"
"Yours? Bah! You surrendered Soldiers, are you even worthy of shouting here? This is military equipment captured by the imperial court, what do you mean 'yours'!"
When that Soldier heard this, he was immediately furious, "What did you say... you... you dare say that again!"
"What if I say it ten times? You surrendered Soldiers, you bandits! What right do you have to stand with us!"
"Damn it! I'll beat you to death!"
As soon as this was said, the two sides immediately became hostile.
Just as the situation was about to get out of control, a loud shout suddenly came from the side.
"Stop! Are you rebelling!" Zhang Chen looked back and saw that the person who had come was Fang Ping.
He saw Fang Ping walk over angrily, grab the Soldier who was about to make a move, and slap him to the ground. He then pointed at the crowd of Soldiers and shouted, "Fighting in the Military Camp, what do you regard military law as?"
"General, it was them... trying to snatch our military equipment, that's why we..."
That Soldier covered his face and said with his head down.
After hearing this, Fang Ping looked at the other Soldiers and said, "Is what he said true? Why were you snatching military equipment?"
The Soldier who had just spoken said, "General, we did not intend to offend. We just want to ask why these surrendered Soldiers have complete military equipment while we do not?"
Fang Ping said, "Regarding military equipment, Lord is already making preparations. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Since the military equipment is not complete, then why are these surrendered Soldiers fully equipped? Could it be that we, the new army, are considered inferior?" That person said, "Or is the General intentionally favoring his own people?"
"How audacious!" A stern shout came from behind, it was Gao Shun. He had just taken Qian Zhao to inspect his own troops and didn't expect to see this scene upon returning.
Gao Shun and Qian Zhao then walked over.
All the Soldiers recognized Gao Shun and immediately bowed, saying, "General Gao."
Gao Shun's face was cold as he reprimanded, "Who allowed you to cause trouble in the Camp? You still want to fight? Should this General call the brothers from the Trapped Camp to spar with you?"
As soon as this was said, all the Soldiers were speechless. The Trapped Camp's reputation was well known; how could they dare to fight against them?
Fang Ping bowed to Gao Shun and said, "General, it is all Zhang He's fault for failing to restrain them. Please calm your anger, General."
Gao Shun said, "Commandant Fang, how could I not know the rights and wrongs of this matter? This has nothing to do with you, you don't need to blame yourself."
Having said that, Gao Shun then said to the Soldiers, "Listen up, these brothers from the Black Mountain Army were also forced to become bandits out of necessity in the beginning. Now that they have surrendered, they are troops of the imperial court. Being in the same army means being brothers, regardless of status or rank. From now on, if anyone dares to bully them willfully again, it will be considered disrupting military morale and will be dealt with according to military law!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrendered Soldiers of the Black Mountain Army immediately knelt and bowed.