Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

Over twenty men stood in the center of the camp. Familiar figures like Dong Chuan, Meng Hu, and Little Wu were all in the ranks; each standing tall and brimming with spirit.

These were the men Luo Yu had handpicked. Most had fought in both the battles of Jiming Fortress and Black Ditch Fortress. They had the courage, the skills, and, most importantly, the loyalty.

Luo Yu shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Relying on the blood and struggle of our brothers at Jiming and Black Ditch, we have established significant military merit. I have also been promoted to centurion.

“I remember that you once feared the Qiang like tigers. Take Little Wu, for example: the first time he saw the Qiang rebels, he was so scared he nearly pissed himself. And now? He is already a man of iron.”

In the crowd, Little Wu grinned. He didn’t feel embarrassed; instead, his face was full of pride. During the battle of Black Ditch Fortress, his three-man group had hacked down six Qiang soldiers. Such a feat was unimaginable in the past. Now, when he saw the Qiang, he didn’t feel fear; instead, a burst of excitement surged inside him.

“You are the brothers I trust most. Today, I have a task for you.”

Luo Yu’s voice was resonant.

“A centurion’s unit—how can it be called that if it has fewer than a hundred men? Our top priority is to recruit soldiers and flesh out our ranks. Only with more men can we speak with strength!

“Now, I want you all to recruit for me. Fellow villagers, scattered comrades—as long as you know them, they are eligible. Tell them that under my command, no one will embezzle their rations or pay. No one will beat or curse the soldiers. Most importantly, no one will treat them as scapegoats to be pushed to the front lines.

“I will give you two days. For every soldier you recruit, I will reward you with two taels of silver. Each person can recruit a maximum of two new soldiers.”

The men’s eyes lit up instantly. Asking them to recruit dozens or hundreds was impossible, but bringing in one or two? Wouldn’t that be four taels of silver? That was worth more than half a year’s military pay!

“Don’t be happy too early.”

Luo Yu’s next sentence immediately dampened their joy.

“These two taels of silver are not so easily earned. We don’t care about their background; we all come from poor families, so no one should mock another.

“However, we don’t want those who fear death. We don’t want those who are lazy or shifty. The men must be honest and hardworking.

“Once you’ve recruited them, the two new soldiers will form a three-man group with you. Their training and coordination will follow yours. If anyone causes trouble, you will share in the misfortune.”

The group felt a shiver. They understood Luo Yu’s meaning. If the people they brought in were just there to make up the numbers, they wouldn’t just lose the silver—they might even taste the military cane.

“Do you understand!”

“Understood!”

“Go!”

Luo Yu gave a grand wave of his hand. The group scattered in a flurry. Dong Chuan approached with an admiring look.

“Sir, this move of yours is truly brilliant. By making the three-man group share both hardship and success, no one will dare to bring in useless fluff. I expect the new recruits will be quite reliable.”

“That is only one reason.” Luo Yu smiled slightly. “The second reason is to refine the Three-Three System. If the three members are already old acquaintances, their coordination on the battlefield will be even higher. It’s easier to trust your back to a friend.”

“Haha! A brilliant move!” Dong Chuan laughed loudly. “Then I had better go recruit as well. That four taels of silver must be earned.”

Watching the crowd disperse, Luo Yu’s face was full of smiles. Strength lies in numbers; he believed he could gather a hundred men within two days.

“Um… can I recruit soldiers too?”

Just as Luo Yu was about to leave, Shen Li’s hesitant voice drifted from behind him.

“You?” Luo Yu was stunned. “You want to earn silver? Women cannot go to the battlefield.”

“No, no, no! I don’t want to earn silver. I don’t want the money.” Shen Li waved her hands in a panic. “We eat and drink your supplies every day; we should at least do something for you, right?

“I heard there are some young men in the city who escaped from the Slave Court. Rather than letting them be laborers repairing walls and starving to death, it would be better for them to join your army. Don’t you happen to be short on men?”

“This…” Luo Yu hesitated. It didn’t sound like a bad idea.

“Do you think people from the Slave Court are all as cowardly as mice? That is definitely not the case,” Shen Li spoke urgently. “Please believe me, the men of the Slave Court are not bad. They certainly won’t be worse than the Great Qian soldiers!”

“Fine. Then give it a try!” After thinking it over, Luo Yu finally nodded in agreement. “As long as you find the people, I will give you the reward silver as usual. But remember: if they cause trouble or make a mistake, you will be punished right along with them!”

* * *

Early the next morning, the camp welcomed a special guest.

Li Chengxiao of the Li family.

“General Li, to what do I owe the honor of your visit today?”

Luo Yu politely poured him a cup of tea. Behind Li Chengxiao stood a personal guard carrying a wooden tray covered with a red cloth, its contents unknown.

“Hehe, Brother Luo is now a celebrity in Yunyang Pass. It is only right that I come to visit.” Li Chengxiao acted very familiarly as soon as he spoke.

“Brother Luo has talent. The battles of Jiming and Black Ditch showed our military might. I heard you even killed a Qiang centurion at Black Ditch. What was his name again?”

“Walige.”

“Right, Walige!” Li Chengxiao’s eyes widened. “I heard that one Qiang rebel was incredibly fierce; he captured several of our fortresses. To be able to slay him, Brother Luo truly is no ordinary man.”

“General Li overpraises me. It was luck, nothing more.”

“Modest, aren’t we? Hehe.”

Li Chengxiao looked around the barracks and changed the subject, “General Kong is truly something. Couldn’t he have provided a more comfortable barrack? These ruins are an insult to Brother Luo.”

“The general jests. This humble one was originally just a grunt. To have a place to stay is already satisfying.”

After a few sentences of casual chat, Luo Yu finally asked, “I wonder if the general has a matter to discuss today?”

“Naturally.”

Li Chengxiao gave a casual wave. The personal guard quickly placed the wooden tray on the table and yanked back the red cloth, revealing ten large ingots of shining white silver. A full hundred taels.

Luo Yu asked, despite already knowing the answer, “What… is the meaning of this?”

“This General does not like beating around the bush, so I will be blunt.” Li Chengxiao wore a smile. “Brother Luo has won victory after victory. Your leadership talent is obvious to everyone in Yunyang Pass. Kong Xian’s temple is too small; you are wasting your talent with him. It would be better to join me, Li Chengxiao.”

“The general is likely interested in more than just me, right?”

“That is natural. The dozens of brothers under you have fought two hard battles; they are all brave men. If they come with you, their pay will definitely be higher than what the court provides.”

Li Chengxiao tossed out his conditions.

“I have two hundred elites under me, all good hands. Add your hundred men, and that makes three hundred. Come to me and be a commandant. A seventeen-year-old commandant—you would be unique in Yunyang Pass. These hundred taels of silver are my meeting gift. What do you say?”

Above a centurion was a commandant. The conditions Li Chengxiao offered were not insignificant.

Staring at the silver, Luo Yu knew clearly that this was the price Li Chengxiao had set for him. If he took this silver, he and his brothers would become the Li family’s Ya Bing.

The tent fell into silence. Under Li Chengxiao’s increasingly disappointed gaze, Luo Yu finally chose to shake his head.

“Since this Luo has already followed military orders to join General Kong’s command, switching to you now wouldn’t look very good. I couldn’t bear the responsibility if General Kong were to blame me.”

Li Chengxiao didn’t speak, but his personal guard uttered coldly, “Boy, do not be ungrateful. General Li visited you in person to give you face. You’re afraid of offending Kong Xian, but you aren’t afraid of offending the Li family?”

“Ah, do not frighten Brother Luo.” Li Chengxiao waved his hand with a superficial smile.

“You should think carefully. Kong Xian is but an outsider with no foundation. In the territory of Que Prefecture, it is the Li family who has the final say.”

His tone seemed gentle, but it contained a hidden threat.

“My apologies. I have already said what needs to be said.” Luo Yu bowed slightly. “I ask that General Li not make things difficult for this humble one.”

“Hehe, quite the daring soul.” Li Chengxiao’s gaze turned a few degrees colder. “Then let us see what benefits you can get by following Kong Xian!

“Let’s go!

“Ungrateful brat!”

Li Chengxiao left in a huff. Luo Yu wasn’t worried about offending him. Between three generals, following one meant offending the others; that was to be expected. But he was more curious about something else.

Watching the retreating figure, Luo Yu’s gaze chilled.

Why did you mention Walige for no reason?

NOTES

Meeting gift (见面礼): A traditional gift given upon a first formal meeting or as an incentive.