Chapter 120: Chapter 99: Reviewing the Troops on the Drill Ground
Translator: 549690339
Zhou Qing’s efficiency was quite impressive.
After receiving his Master’s order, he immediately went to the bars and teahouses in the city to spread the news of Lu Yuan’s intention to sell official positions, so as to attract customers.
At the same time, he started walking the streets and alleys, looking for people in the city who knew about training soldiers.
Surprisingly, this search led him to a suitable target.
There was an old veteran in the city who had retired from the county army, although his highest position in the army was only a Company Commander, and he didn’t even have an official identity.
However, he had served in the army for thirty years and had fought in more than a dozen battles.
Moreover, what’s even more rare is that this old soldier had practiced martial arts and cultivated Inner Strength in his body. Although he had only refined one of his meridians, he was still considered a decent fighter.
The only downside was that this man was a bit old, he was already forty-five. By the standards of today’s society, he would not have many years left.
But Lu Yuan didn’t care about that.
He just needed someone to help him train soldiers, and if they had some strength, that was even better.
This old soldier named Liang Hu perfectly met Lu Yuan’s requirements.
So after learning about him, he asked his apprentice to bring an Official
Appointment Letter for a rank nine Catch Officer and went to recruit him. Although he had already retired and was tired of fighting,
Upon seeing the rank nine official identity, the already half white-haired Liang Hu immediately felt rejuvenated and was full of vitality.
He accepted the position without a second thought, and then eagerly followed Zhou Qing to meet his direct superior.
Wasn’t it just fighting some chaotic people?
He had already fought against the invading enemies from the north, so a ragtag army like this was nothing to fear.
“Liang Hu, right?”
Inside Sun Siwen’s Mansion, Lu Yuan sat in the Teacher’s chair, looking down at the somewhat nervous old man, smiling, “Don’t be nervous. As long as you work for me, I won’t treat you unfairly.
Did you sign the official letter of appointment?
Since you have taken up the position of Catch Officer, you should first take Inspector Zhou to recruit some mountain people in the villages below and enlist them into the army.
These mountain people are used to fighting wild beasts, and most of them are quite tough and good at archery. They live a hard life and many of them don’t even have an identity.
You can promise them that if they join the army, they will be given twenty silver taels for settling down, and five silver taels as monthly salary afterward.
At the same time, the army will help them arrange for an official identity, and when they reach Wugang County, as long as we eliminate the bandits, I, as the County Captain, will make sure they have a piece of land to settle down and establish a livelihood.
As for the number of soldiers to be recruited, let’s set it at three hundred.”
Lu Yuan did not plan to fill the five-hundred quota, and even the fourteen official positions he had, including Liang Hu’s, only sold five.
One inspector and four catch officers were sold, and since Liang Huts position was given, a total of 2,500 silver taels were earned.
People who are not afraid to die for their future are ultimately limited.
Liang Hu climbed up from the bottom and knew very well the hardships of the mountain people at the bottom of society. Therefore, after hearing Lu Yuan’s conditions, he quickly admired, “With such conditions, the mountain people will certainly join the army enthusiastically and feel grateful for your kindness.”
Lu Yuan smiled, “I don’t need them to thank me, as long as they help me eliminate the bandits. Go, fill the ranks as soon as possible. We can only stay in Changning County for a month at most, and we have to set off after a month.
“Yes, I’m on it,”
After taking up the military position, Liang Hu regained some of the feelings he had in the Barracks, and immediately saluted.
Oddly enough, being saluted made Lu Yuan feel quite comfortable, and his smile deepened. Then he ordered his apprentice, “Xiaoqing, you go with Catch Officer Liang to recruit soldiers. Although Catch Officer Liang is your subordinate, he is a senior with experience, so you should learn from him.”
“Yes, I’m on it,”
Zhou Qing saw that his Master seemed to like being called this way, so he immediately followed suit.
With the help of the old veteran Liang Hu, and the fact that Changning County had already been dealt with by Zhou Qing, recruiting soldiers went smoothly.
The mountain people in the county, hearing the generous conditions offered by Lu Yuan, all saw a chance to change their fate and eagerly joined the army.
The three hundred soldiers were recruited in just ten days.
In the end, there were even too many people joining the army, and after consulting with Zhou Qing, Lu Yuan agreed to temporarily recruit another fifty people, making up a total of three hundred and fifty soldiers.
On the other hand, Sun Siwen started to use his connections and influence to raise 1,500 silver taels from the gentry and wealthy families of the county for military salary.
Five years of reputation for producing three juren was just that terrifying.
In addition to raising funds, Sun Siwen also applied to the county office for a batch of arms to equip the new soldiers. The county office instructed the local Hengyang government to allocate and pay for them.
After recruiting the soldiers, it was time to begin training.
For this training, Lu Yuan left it to his apprentice and Liang Hu, and acted as a hands-off manager.
In the county town, when they saw the soldiers escorting Zhou Qing to his post, the number had already reached three hundred and fifty, it immediately bolstered the confidence of many people.
Four more people went to Lu Yuan and bought one inspector and three catch officer positions, just enough to fill the three hundred and fifty positions in the army.
Lu Yuan earned another 2,500 silver taels, totaling 5,000 silver taels including the previous sales.
His original investment of 3,000 silver taels was not only recovered but also made a net profit of 2,000 silver taels.
Finally, when he was selling the official positions and making money here, the newly recruited soldiers in the Barracks were ready to move after more than half a month of training.
So, on the day before the army set off, Lu Yuan, as the military supreme commander, invited Sun Siwen and the bureaucrats and gentry of Changning County to come to inspect the army.
On that day,
The northern wind was blowing, and the flags were fluttering.
After being trained in basic drills for more than half a month, the new soldiers who had barely learned to differentiate between left and right were divided into seven rows and formed a slightly twisted line.
Liang Hu and Zhou Qing, along with the newly bought inspectors and catch officers, were all dressed in armor, with their hands on the bows and arrows at their waists, shuttling between the ranks to maintain order.
Due to the limited time for training, Lu Yuan did not ask them to perform any battle formation changes. Instead, they just walked a few circles in formation and shouted “Kill! Kill! Kill!” a couple of times before calling it a day.
However, although it looked unbearable in his eyes, the many spectators present were actually quite impressed.
Here, it was necessary to mention the special advantage brought by the soldiers that Lu Yuan had chosen.
Those mountain people who were used to fighting wild beasts in the mountains might be lacking in discipline and experience, but their ferociousness and willingness to fight for their lives were not inferior at all.
When these hunters and mountain people collectively shouted “Kill! Kill! Kill!” , the audiences truly felt a strong killing intent, rushing towards them.
The thick killing intent made them shiver, their backs grew cold, and their expressions changed..